Repousse silver pair cased verge

A late 18thc. London watch, in silver repousse pair cases.

MOVEMENT : A gilt movement with a verge escapement, and engraved and pierced balance bridge, showing scrolls and a fanciful bird. Four square pillars and silver regulator disk.

Signed Jn. May and numbered 3309.

All in reasonable condition, although there are scratches to the top plate. The movement is running well.

DIAL : White enamel dial, in reasonable condition, with no repairs or chips, but many light surface scratches.

Fancy gilt hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with London hallmarks for 1783, movement serial number 3309 and maker’s mark JC?.

In reasonable condition, though there is the usual compression around the band and the stem has been reattached. The hinge is ok and the bezel snaps shut.

The high dome bull’s eye crystal is ok, but with a few small chips right on the edge, mostly hidden by the bezel.

OUTER CASE : A silver pair case, decorated with repousse work to the back and bezel.

In reasonable condition. The catch and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The catch button has worn down (showing a bluish filler) but is still functional. Most of the high points of the repousse work on the back, have worn through leaving holes. Particularly to the heads of the two main characters.
The hinge is worn and shows an old repair, though is still functional.

This watch shows features common to Continental manufacture, especially the balance bridge and dial. May is a name commonly found on Continental copies of English watches of the late 18thc. So this watch was probably made in Switzerland, France or even Holland around 1783.