17th. century one handed London verge

A nice early single handed London verge, with an associated outer case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with a beautifully engraved and pierced balance cock. Four fine tulip pillars. Single handed movement, so no centre wheel. The hand is driven directly from the fusee.  The reeded edge of the balance wheel is exceptionally thick (see photo).

Signed Jacobus Markwick, Londini.

All in good original condition though with one small repair to a tooth on the 2nd wheel. Running well.

DIAL : Fine silver champleve dial in excellent condition.

Very good blued steel hand, with a tail, typical of the mid to late 17thc.

INNER CASE : Silver, no hallmarks, but maker’s mark RB.

In good condition, with a little compression around the band . The bow and stem are a little later (mid 18thc.) and the stem is a little short. The hinge is fine and the bezel closes well. Good high dome bull’s eye crystal with no damage.

OUTER CASE : Silver, with no maker’s mark.

The hinge is fine. The catch button is good, but the spring has been replaced and the case does not snap shut. The neck of the case has been modified to allow for the shortened stem of the inner case.

James Markwick was apprenticed in 1656 and free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1666 and died around 1716

The shape of the balance cock foot and the pillars (typical of Thomas Tompion and Joseph Windmills) date this watch towards the end of the 17th century, probably about 1680. Single handed watches were seldom made in England after about 1690, though persisted in France a little longer.

The case maker is Richard Blundell of White’s Alley, Coleman Street, London