Early Verge Oxford Watch

A large and good quality early Oxford verge, in good overall condition.

MOVEMENT : A gilded movement with four Egyptian pillars, and large silver regulator disk. The pierced and engraved winged balance cock is decorated with foliage and scrolls.

The movement is signed JOHN FREE, OXON, and numbered 47.

All in good condition, and running well.

DIAL : A signed silver champleve dial, in very good condition.
The centre disk is signed as the movement.

Very fine early steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : A deep silver case, with no hallmarks (too early), but maker’s mark IW under a crown, and also stamped with movement number 47.

All in good condition, though the stem has been reattached and, with the bow, may be a replacement.

The high dome bull’s eye crystal is good. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut.

OUTER CASE :Matching maker’s mark to the inner, and engraved and dated on the back T * HARDY, 1767 and scratched mark I.

All in good condition, with just a few light bruises to the back. The catch, catch button and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely. The catch spring, and possible the button, are replacements.

John Free is listed in Oxford from 1696 when he was apprenticed until his death in 1726.

The case maker is probably John Willoughby of Old Bailey, London.