THE ENGLISH EAST-INDIAMAN "HARTWELL" WAS LOST ON ITS MAIDEN VOYAGE TO CHINA OFF THE ISLANDS OF CAPE VERDE ON THE 24TH OF MAY 1787. SHE WAS CARRYING A TRADING CARGO INCLUDING CLOCKS AND WATCHES, IN WHICH THE CHINESE MERCHANTS WERE INTERESTED.

THE CHATELAINE, THE WATCHMECHANISM AND THE WATCHCASES IN THIS LOT ARE PART OF THE MATERIAL THE DIVERS SALVAGED FROM THE WRECK IN THE PERIOD 1993-1996.