Lincolnshire watch with very unusual dial

A late 18thc. provincial verge with a very rare and unusual dated dial.

MOVEMENT : The gilt fusee movement has a verge escapement, finely engraved and pierced balance cock with vase to the neck, four round pillars, blued steel screws and a Tompion type regulator.

Signed Abrm. Shaw, Billingborough and numbered 237.

Running well and in very good condition.

DIAL : The very unusual white enamel dial has the owner’s name JOHN WATTERS instead of numerals, but very unusually also has the date 1792 instead of the 12 hour.

It is in good condition, with no repairs but some light scratches and one heavier scratch through the O of JOHN.

Gilt or gold hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with hallmarks for London, 1792, maker’s mark IR.

In very good condition, with just one small bump at the winding aperture The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The high dome bull’s eye crystal has some scratches but not too bad.

OUTER CASE : A silver pair case, with matching hallmarks to the inner.

In good condition. The hinge and catch are good and the case snaps shut correctly. The catch button is dented though is still functional. There is a small dent on the rim near the catch.

Abraham Shaw, also a clockmaker, is listed in Billingborough from 1796 until 1806.