Nicole, Nielsen & Co. was the leading manufacturer of complicated watches in late 19th century London, and made watches and carriage clocks for leading makers such as Frodsham, but also marketed under their own name. The firm originated in 1840 when Adolphe Nicole, a partner in the firm of Nicole & Capt, Geneva, settled in London. In 1888 the firm was purchased by R.B. North, Nielsen being retained as joint managing director with Harrison Mill Frodsham. In 1888 the firm took the name of Nicole, Nielsen & Co.

The present example is the absolute ultimate expression of watchmaking at its very finest as it features the three elements that collectors and scholars define as a "Grande Complication": a minute repeater, a perpetual calendar and a split-seconds complication.

Grande Complication timepieces are the pinnacle of watchmaking providing a fascinating window into horology’s past with some of the most intriguing watches ever produced. They are mechanical works of art produced by very few makers, bringing together multiple, high complications to produce one of the most complex and enduring collectable watches today. Each function not only works individually but also together for an incomparable mechanism that showcases the greatness of a maker. The craftsmanship and expertise required to create such watches are truly exceptional, making them extremely rare and coveted masterpieces in the world of horology.

The lovely white enamel dial with Roman numerals elegantly presents multiple subsidiary dials indicating the day of the week, month (on a 4-year cycle) and date, along with running seconds, minutes counter and moonphase display. Made and signed by Frederick Willis, his dials were of the highest quality used by the very best British makers in their most important watches.

Without a doubt, during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the finest watches in the world were being produced by British makers, and are now cherished by collectors for their rarity, complexity, and beauty. The present Nielsen & Co. "Grande Complication" made expressly for WmFarmer & Co Sydney, as engraved on the movement (William Farmer & Co was a well-known jeweller based in Sydney Australia) is a true masterpiece from the turn of the 20th century and has remained in the same private collection since it first appeared on the auction market in 1990.

For an identical watch signed Smith & Son see Phillips New York, 8-9 June 2024, Lot 90 sold for $139,700.