James Ward Usher’s watch collection

James Ward Usher put together an extremely fine collection of English, French and Swiss watches, dating from the early 17th to the early 19th Centuries. Many are made from precious metals and set with gemstones or contain exquisite enamels.

The collection includes pieces by famous watchmakers such as Justin Vulliamy, A.L. Breguet and John Arnold. Arnold’s ring watch is believed to have been originally presented to George III. Other watches in the collection also have unusual settings or forms, such as a snuff box containing a watch and an automaton, and a beetle shaped watch.