Mid 18thc. London shagreen

A mid 18thc. London watch, in gilt and shagreen pair cases, in particularly fine condition.

MOVEMENT : The gilt movement has a verge escapement, with an engraved and pierced balance cock, showing a shell at the neck with scrolls above. The balance cock table is pierced with a ‘lace’ edge and the foot engraved with a chequer pattern. Four square pillars, silver regulator disk and undamaged blued screws.

Signed Robt. Freeman and numbered 236.

All in excellent condition, and running well.

The lace edge decoration to the balance cock was a popular form of decoration for London makers, but only used for a short period between about 1750 and 1770.

DIAL : White enamel dial, in good condition, with just some very light scratches and two light hairlines radiating from IX.

Fine 18th century blued steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Gilt brass case, with no maker’s mark.

In good condition throughout, though with some wear to the gilding on the back. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely. The high dome crystal is fine.

OUTER CASE : A shagreen covered gilt pair case.

In excellent condition, with good green colour to the very fine grained shagreen. Both back and bezel have a little wear to the gilded surfaces but otherwise perfect with no damage to the shagreen or pins missing.

The catch button, catch and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly.