18thc. London watch in underpainted horn case

A verge watch, in a beautifully underpainted horn pair case.

MOVEMENT : A gilt verge movement, with well engraved and pierced balance cock, with a vase to the neck. Four round pillars, silver regulator disk and blued steel screws.

Running well, and in good condition.

Signed Wm. Rose, London and numbered 12155.

DIAL : A white enamel dial, in very good condition. No repairs, and just a scratch on the edge between 11 and 12, and a small chip, again on the edge, at 5.

Gilt hands.

INNER CASE : Gilt brass.
In good condition though with wear to the gilding. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is fine.

OUTER CASE : A wonderful gilt brass pair case with underpainted horn covering. The bezel and back are both decorated with a seaweed pattern, with a framed scene on the back showing a musician playing a lute for a seating lady who is holding a music score. Beautifully painted, with a lot of detail and gold highlights.

The hinge, catch and catch button are complete and the case snaps shut.

The horn is in very good condition, with fine colours.

On the back there is one small piece of horn missing, right on the edge at the catch button and one short crack at the neck. There are about 16 pins missing from the pique work.

On the bezel, there are two pieces of the horn missing, one at the neck and the other at 6. There are about 9 pins missing.

William Rose, apprenticed in 1752, and working in Bloomsbury, London, is recorded in the Clockmakers’ Company between 1767 and 1806.