A 17th century gold verge, in fine condition throughout, in excellent repousse pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with beautifully engraved and pierced balance cock. This shows the typical late 17th century features of a large table and broken edged foot to the balance cock, reeded surface to the steel balance wheel, and fine tulip pillars. Signed ‘J. Norcott, London’.

All in particularly fine, original condition and running well.

DIAL : Excellent signed gold champleve dial, in very good condition. Blued steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : 22ct. gold, with rubbed marks for London, 1694, maker II. The bow and stem are probably 18thc replacements.

All in excellent condition. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely. Good very high dome crystal with just one short scratch but no chips.

OUTER CASE : A wonderful 22ct. gold pair case, with beautiful repousse work showing a classical scene.

This case is in good condition, with just a little wear to the high points of the repousse work.

The hinge and catch are fine (a dent in the catch button) and the bezel snaps shut perfectly.

John Norcott is listed in the Clockmakers Company between 1681 and 1697, and died in 1698.

The case maker is Jonathan Jones who was apprenticed to Nathaniel Delander. There are examples of his cases used by Joseph Knibb and Joseph Windmills among other London late 17th century watchmakers.