London gilt cases with shell covering

A mid 18thc. London watch, in silver gilt and tortoiseshell pair cases.

MOVEMENT : A gilt movement with a verge escapement, and engraved and pierced balance cock edged with a lace pattern. The cock is engraved with flowers above a basket to the neck. Four square pillars and silver regulator disk.

This ‘lace’ edge was a popular form of decoration for London makers, but only used for a short period between about 1750 and 1770.

Signed Wm. Strong, London and numbered 1504.

All in good condition except for some scratches to the plate at the pillar top and a mismatch of steel screws. The movement is running well.

DIAL : A fine white enamel dial, in excellent condition, with no repairs and just one tiny chip on the edge at the opening catch at 6.

Good 18thc. blued steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Gilt silver, with London hallmarks for 1761, and maker’s mark HT.

In good condition, though there is the usual compression around the band and some light bruises to the back. The gilding has worn off in a few places with the silver showing through. The hinge is ok and the bezel snaps shut.

The high dome bull’s eye crystal has a scratch at 2, but is otherwise ok.

OUTER CASE : A gilt brass case with tortoiseshell covering to the back and bezel.

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

The shell is complete and retains a very good bright colour.

On the back there are three very small chips towards the centre and three short cracks from the edge. There are just six pins missing from the pique work.

On the bezel there are two cracks and nine pins missing.