Centre seconds cylinder by George Margetts

This is a very rare centre seconds cylinder watch by the celebrated maker and innovator George Margetts. Watches by Margetts very seldom become available to purchase.

MOVEMENT : The gilt movement has a cylinder escapement, with an engraved and pierced balance cock with diamond endstone. Four round pillars, silver regulator disk and undamaged blued screws.

Signed Margetts, London and numbered 911.

The movement is protected by a removable gilt dustcap, signed and numbered as the movement.

All in goods condition, though there should be a stop lever at 9 which would stop and restart the movement (this mechanism is missing). The movement is running well.

DIAL : A fine white enamel dial, in very good condition, with just some very light scratches.

Fine gold beetle and poker hands, with matching seconds.

INNER CASE : Gilt case, with maker’s mark SH.

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

OUTER CASE : A gilt case with maker’s mark matching the inner.

In good condition, with just a little wear to the gilding.

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

George Margetts

Based of the few examples of watches known by George Margetts, the serial number of this watch (911) would date it to about 1790.

The case maker is probably Squire Hewkley of Clerkenwell, London, recorded in 1786.