Verge champleve watch by Meyer

A large, early English verge with original champleve dial, in silver pair cases.  The dial featuring the British Royal Coat of Arms.,

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with finely engraved and pierced winged balance cock, showing birds and a mask at the neck. Four crested tulip pillars and silver regulator disk. Signed “PETER MEYER”. In good condition and working.

DIAL : Silver champleve dial, with gilt centre, in good condition. Signed “MEYER” on the central disc, which also features a lion and unicorn under a crown and above a mask. Matching brass hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with no hallmarks but maker’s mark SB (crowned).

In good condition, with just a few light bruises. The pendant has been reattached and with the bow are later replacements. The hinge and the high dome bull’s eye crystal are fine and the bezel shuts nicely.

OUTER CASE : Silver pair case, with large square hinge (7 sleeves). Again with no hallmarks. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the case closes correctly. Some small bruises throughout.

The Lion and Unicorn form the coat of arms of the British monarch (hence the crown) so this watch was probably made in London, around 1700.

The maker’s mark on the inner case may be for Samuel Bowtell, whose marks (with and without the crown) have been seen on cases between about 1690 and 1710.