Mid 18thc London gold verge

Stock No. 1714

Arlander Dobson
London, 1742
Gold repousse pair cases, 49 mm.
Verge escapement

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A mid 18th century London watch, with verge escapement, in gold repousse pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilded verge escapement, with a beautifully engraved and pierced winged balance cock, showing serpents, scrolls and a mask to the neck. Four square baluster pillars and a large silver regulator disk.

Signed ‘Arl. Dobson, LONDON’ and numbered (1018)

The movement is in good, complete condition, and is running well.

DIAL : The white enamel dial is in quite good condition, except for one hairline running from the centre to 5. A few light surface scratches, and damage to the edge around 4.

Gilt hands.

This dial (and hands) are later than the rest of the watch, probably late 18th century.

INNER CASE : 22ct. gold, with London hallmarks for 1742 and maker’s mark E*B under a fleur de lis. Brass bow.

In good condition. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The gold stem appears to be original, though the brass bow probably later.
The high dome crystal is good.

OUTER CASE : A gold pair case with repousse decoration showing figures in a room setting with a ship in the distance (Departure of Aeneas).

In reasonable condition though with some wear to the high points of the repousse work. The hinge and catch are fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The catch button is present but worn.

Both cases test as high carat gold.

Arlander Dobson is listed at Covent Garden, London, from 1744. He died in 1772,

The case maker is Edward Bradshaw.

PROVENANCE : This watch is from the collection of Lowood House, Melrose, Scotland. This has been the home of the Hamilton family since 1947. The country house collection it contains was amassed by two Scottish lowland families: the Crum Ewings and the Hamiltons.