MOVEMENT : Gilded verge movement. Fully signed and numbered (2016). Unusual plain, though gilded, balance cock, with no piercing or engraving. All in very fine condition and running well.

The balance cock is a perfect fit and shape and maybe a replacement, or may have been a blank originally made with the movement and never decorated for some reason. Watchmakers of this period often bought in undercoated and unsigned movements which they cased, signed and had engraved to their own specification.

DIAL : White enamel, in nice condition, with no repairs, but a hairline from the centre to 9. Beautiful skeleton gold hands.

The dial has “WHAT” fired into the enamel on the back, so is original to this movement.

INNER CASE : Silver, hallmarks for London, 1805. Maker’s mark WL and movement number (6011). Good condition throughout. The hinge and catch are fine and the bezel closes properly. The high dome crystal has a few light scratches but no chips.

OUTER CASE : Silver, with matching hallmarks to the inner. Again in good condition throughout. The hinge, catch and catch button are fine and the case closes correctly.

Robert Whatley is listed in London between 1800 and 1814.