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Category: Events

Created on Tuesday, 21 February 2012 09:48

Written by Louise Hoffman

Sotheby's London has announced that it is to host the single owner sale of the George Daniels Horological Collection, taking place on 6 November.

George Daniels (19 August 1926 – 21 October 2011) was an internationally-known horologist, and the only watchmaker ever to have received a CBE and an MBE for his services to horology. He was the inventor of the Daniels revolutionary 'Co-Axial' escapement, developed during the 1970s and designed to run unaffected by the deterioration of its lubricant.

This personal collection of clocks and watches comprises those pieces he made and retained for his own pleasure, and fine and rare examples by some of the most famous makers of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Consisting of approximately 130 lots, and estimated to fetch in the region of £5 million, many of the special pieces have been unseen in public for many years.

Jonathan Hills, deputy director of Sotheby's Clock Department, commented: "This auction represents a one-time opportunity for collectors to acquire the clocks George Daniels collected to satisfy his lifelong fascination with horology, and which no doubt brought him great enjoyment. We are delighted to have been entrusted with the sale of this important group."

All proceeds from the sale of the collection will go to help the George Daniels Educational Trust, which works to make funds available to students in order that they may further their education in the disciplines of horology, medicine, engineering, building or construction.

Image: Sotheby's