Siver Tortoiseshell Verge by Chapeau

Early London verge in a wonderful pique work tortoiseshell outer case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced winged balance cock.
Blued steel screws, large silvered regulator disk and four Egyptian pillars.
Fully signed (PET. CHAPEAU, LONDON).

The movement is in excellent condition throughout and running well.

DIAL : Silver champleve dial, signed as the movement. In good condition.
Original early 18th century steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, no maker’s mark. In quite good condition with a few light bruises to the back and the pendant has been reattached. The bow has split but is still strong. The movement catch does not lock fully against the case when closed but the bezel snaps shut nicely and holds the movement firmly. The hinge and high dome crystal are both fine.

OUTER CASE : A wonderful tortoiseshell case with silver pique work.

There are very few pins missing and just small pieces of shell missing. There is some buckling of the shell around the rims (bezel and main case) and some cracks but the shell is quite stable with nothing loose. No restoration.

This outer case contains 2 interesting 19th century Scottish watch papers.

Peter Chapeau is listed in London from before 1726 until 1786. This watch dates from about 1710.

PROVENANCE : This watch was formerly in the collection of Georges Baptiste, antique dealer and former President of BRAFA (Brussels Art Fair).