London watch with through dial regulator

A large early 18thc. London verge, by a very good maker, and in exceptionally good overall condition. Features through dial regulation, date aperture and silver balance cock.

MOVEMENT : A gilded movement with four plain pillars and a silver winged balance cock. This pierced and engraved balance cock is particularly finely engraved with scrolls and foliage. Complete with a diamond endstone.

The movement is signed And Dunlop, London and numbered 656.

All in excellent condition, and running well. The four very plain pillars may indicate that the movement originally had a glass dust ring, permanently attached to these pillars.

Unlike later calendar watches, where the date moves over after two rotations of the hour hand, the date wheel here is turned directly from the fusee (see photos),

DIAL : A signed silver dial, with polished silver numerals between blackened reserves. Very good condition throughout.

The central disk is signed DUNLOP, LONDON, with blued regulator disk above and date aperture below.

Gilt beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : A silver case, with no hallmarks (too early) but maker’s mark IW and movement serial number 656.

In good condition though the stem has been reattached and reinforced inside the case with a small brass plate.

The high dome crystal is good. The hinge has the middle sleeve missing but the bezel snaps shut nicely.

OUTER CASE : Silver case, with nice square hinge. Again no hallmarks but matching maker’s mark and serial number to the inner case.

In good condition. With just some light bruises. The catch, catch button and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely.

Andrew Dunlop