Gold repousse pair cased repeating verge by John Mulford

An early 18th century London verge pocket watch, with quarter repeating movement, in gold repousse pair cases.

An early and excellent quality gold verge repeater, with a gold champleve dial, in particularly fine repousse pair cases. All in fine condition.

MOVEMENT : Gilded movement with baluster pillars, silver regulator disk, and beautifully pierced and engraved balance cock. Clean blued screws.

The movement is signed on a silver banner (I. MULFORD, LONDON).

The movement is protected by a removable silver dust cap.

All in very fine condition. Running well and repeating correctly.

DIAL : A fine gold champleve dial, signed as the movement. In good condition, with only a few very light scratches

Nice early 18th century, blued steel, beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Gold case, with steel bell. Under the bell the maker’s mark is obscured, but the year letter is clear, for London 1723.

Beautifully pierced and engraved around the band, with birds, flowers, scrolls and a mask at 6.

Very good condition, with no breaks or damage to the piercing. The high dome crystal is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly.

The small lever on the bezel at 7 is a ‘pulse piece’ allowing the repeat to be silent but vibrating, by pressing the button during the repeat. This lever is intact and functioning correctly.

The bell is undamaged, with a clear chime.

OUTER CASE : Quite a large outer cases, of unmarked gold, with beautiful repousse work showing classical scene..

The catch, catch button and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely.
The repousse work is in wonderful condition, with virtually no wear to the high points. It appears to be unsigned.

This watch is by John Mulford I (there was also a son II, and grandson III) who was free in the Clockmakers Company from 1716-29.