Watch made for King James I of England goes to auction in London, more than 400 years on

Pocket watch by David Ramsay, made around 1613 for James I of England and VI of Scotland. © Bonhams

Bonhams will auction in London on 3 December a unique pocket watch made around 1613 for James I of England and VI of Scotland. The estimate is £250,000 to £350,000.

It is the work of David Ramsay, watchmaker to the court of James I, and leads the Historical and Extraordinary Watches sale. Oval, in silver and gilt metal, it has the king's portrait by Simon de Passe engraved on the inner cover. The case decoration is by Gérard de Heck, whose signature, "de Heck Sculp", appears on the back. The outer covers show scenes from chapter 10 of the Gospel of Luke, and the watch also bears the royal arms and James I's motto, Beati Pacifici.

The watch shows the day and date, with apertures for the moon phase and the planetary day of the week. The movement has a verge escapement and predates the introduction of the balance spring. It is one of three known examples commissioned around the same time.

The David Ramsay watch, with the portrait of James I. © Bonhams

David Ramsay was appointed royal watchmaker, became Chief Clockmaker in 1618 and, in 1632, the first Master of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, the London clockmakers' guild. About fourteen surviving watches are attributed to him.

The piece stayed in the same family for generations. According to Bonhams, Queen Anne gave it to her lady-in-waiting, Lady Elizabeth Russell, and the watch passed down to the present owner, who lent it to the British Museum in 1961 and, in 1974, to the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Jonathan Darracott, global head of watches at Bonhams, calls it "a remarkable survivor from the earliest history of horology" and expects it to attract connoisseurs, curators and collectors from around the world.

Find out more on the auction house's website.