Late 18thc. London gold & enamel pair cased verge

A mid 18th century London verge pocket watch, in gold & enamel pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilded verge escapement, with engraved and pierced balance cock , four round pillars, small silver regulator disk and blued steel screws.

Signed J. Jackson, London and numbered 8701.

The movement is protected by a removable gilt dust ring, held in place by two steel screws. All in good condition and running well.

DIAL : An enamel dial.

The dial is original (dial feet still lined up with the holes in the movement plate) but has been heavily restored, with a soft enamel. This has aged, resulting in a yellowish colour.

Otherwise in reasonable condition with just some light marks and rubbing around the edge at 1, 4 and 8.

Gilt brass hands.

INNER CASE : Gold, with London hallmarks for 1776, maker’s mark IW.

The bow and stem have been reattached, though appear to be original. The gold is in good condition with just one light bruise to the back, and a little compression around the band.

The hinge is fine and the bezel does close, though is tight. The high dome crystal is good.

OUTER CASE : A gold pair case, hallmarked for London 1777, again with maker’s mark IW. Blue enamel decoration to the bezel and blue/white to the back, with a pink and grey plaque to the centre.

In good condition. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut. The catch and catch button are complete.

The enamel is complete and in good condition, though the pink/grey panel in the centre of the back has probably been restored with a softer enamel.

The inner and outer cases are hallmarked one year apart, but they are a perfect fit, and with the same maker’s mark, so were almost certainly made as a pair.