VIVAT ORANJE – Dutch late 18th watch

An interesting late 18th century silver pair cased verge watch with an interesting dedication to the Dutch Prince of Orange painted on the dial.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance bridge. Four square baluster pillars.

Signed “Wilders, London” and numbered 53297.

In very good and original condition and running well.

DIAL : Interesting enamel dial painted to the centre with an orange tree and the dedication “VIVAT ORANJE”.

This is in almost perfect condition, with just a little wear to the gold half hour markers on the bottom half.

Fancy gilt hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, hallmarked for London, 1787, maker’s mark I?T, and movement serial number (53297). There is also an impressed triangle mark.

The case snaps shut nicely and the silver is in reasonable condition, though with a little compression around the band and wear to the bow. The stem has been reattached and there are a few very light bruises on the back. The high dome bull’s eye crystal has a few light scratches but otherwise fine.

OUTER CASE : Silver case, with no hallmarks but with the same impressed triangle as the inner.

The hinge, catch and catch button are fine and the case shuts correctly. The silver is in good condition.

Wilders is a name commonly found on Continental copies of English watches of the late 18thc. So this watch was almost certainly made in Switzerland, France or even Holland around 1787.

William V, Prince of Orange-Nassau was born in 1748 He was the last Stadholder of the Dutch Republic, from 1766 until his death in 1806. During this period, the dedication ‘Vivat Oranje’ was use to show support.