Silver cased repeating verge by Benjamin Gray

Stock No. 1567

Benjamin Gray
London, c1740
Silver case, 56 mm
Verge, quarter repeating movement

Sold

A fine quality London verge repeater, with good provenance, in a substantial silver case, and by an important London maker. All in exceptionally fine condition.

MOVEMENT : An excellent quality and beautiful gilded movement with baluster pillars, silver regulator disk, and finely pierced and engraved balance cock with ruby endstone. Undamaged blued screws.
The regulator pointer is formed as a serpent’s tail, a feature later adopted by Gray’s son in law, Justin Vulliamy.

The movement is signed (Ben. Gray, LONDON).

All in excellent condition, except for some scratches around the pillar tops. Running well and repeating correctly with a nice loud, clear, strike to the bell.

The movement would originally have had a removable gilt dustcap which is now absent.

DIAL : Very attractive, signed, white enamel dial. In perfect condition.

Fancy gilt hands.

CASE : A substantial and heavy silver case, with internal steel bell. Nicely engraved to the rims and bezel. Large silver disk to the back, turning to provide access to the winding square.

All in very good condition. The high dome crystal is fine. The catch, catch button and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely.

PROVENANCE : Previously in the Leon Leroy Collection (Paris) – Inventory N ° 204. Revised by Herzog in September 1940.

Benjamin Gray