Early London verge

An early London verge, by a very good maker, and in exceptionally good overall condition.

MOVEMENT : A gilded movement with four tulip style pillars and a silver regulator disk. The pierced and engraved winged balance cock is particularly finely engraved with foliage and a mask to the neck. The steel balance wheel has a reeded surface.

The movement is signed Chr. Gould, London.

All in excellent condition, and running well.

DIAL : A signed silver champleve dial, in very good condition.
The central disk, with scrolls and a mask to the base, is signed GOULD, LONDON.

Good early blued steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : A silver case, with no hallmarks (too early) but maker’s mark VB (conjoined).

All in good condition. The bow is a replacement.

The high dome bull’s eye crystal is good, with just a few light scratches. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely.

OUTER CASE : Again no silver or maker’s marks. Both the bezel and back are deeply engraved with scrolls, foliage and birds. At the centre of the back is a family crest showing three hounds’ heads.

In very good condition. The catch, catch button and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely.

The marker’s mark VB (conjoined) is for Uriah Berrington, for whom 2 other examples of watch cases are documented, each dated around 1690 (see Phillip Priestley, p36 & p44).

Christopher Gould was one of the most eminent of English makers during the late 17th century.  He was made a Free Brother in the Clockmakers’ Company in 1682. In 1697 he signed the Clockmakers’ Company oath of allegiance. In 1701 he worked at the Royal Exchange. He was Beadle of the Company in 1713 but by then was receiving a charity pension which continued until his death in 1718. This watch dates from around 1700.