Clocks and Watches Sale at Skinner Includes Tall Walnut Clock by Edward Duffield

The double-faced clock at 2nd Street and Arch Street in Old City Philadelphia is thought to be one of the first public clocks in America. The clock hung outside the shop of its maker, Edward Duffield, who was one of the leading clockmakers of the 18th century. He also was a compass maker, civic leader, educator, and well-known friend of Benjamin Franklin, for whom he made clocks and served as executor of his estate. One of his tall walnut clocks is currently up for bid in the Clocks & Watches auction at Skinner. Several other American clocks are also on offer, including an early Maine red-stained dwarf clock, an untouched Philadelphia bracket clock, and a documented Simon Willard lighthouse clock. 

Beyond these, the sale will also include sport and dress wristwatches such as a “well worn” 1965 Rolex Explorer reference 1016, a gold Rolex Yacht-Master, and a Patek Philippe watch in 18-karat white gold. There are also mid-19th-century French mantel clocks and skeleton clocks, as well as watches from Cartier, Omega, and Bulgari. View any of these lots and register to bid on Skinner’s website.