Mid 18thc. watch by George Lindsay

A fine quality, mid 18th century verge watch, in gilt pair cases, by an important London maker.

MOVEMENT : The fine quality gilded movement has a verge escapement, and an engraved and finely pierced balance cock, showing entwined foliage and a mask to the neck. Blued steel screws, four square baluster pillars and a silver regulator disk.

Signed Geo. Lindsay, London and numbered 354.

The movement is protected by a removable gilt dust cap, which is signed :
Geo. Lindsay
Sert. to ye Prince of Wales
354

The movement is in good condition and is running well.

DIAL : The white enamel dial is in good condition, with just some light surface scratches.
But this dial is a later replacement. The dial is fixed to the dial false plate with adhesive rather than pinned (no dial feet). The false plate is probably original and is correctly pinned to the movement.

Later gilt hands.

INNER CASE : Gilt, with no maker’s mark.

The case is in good condition, though the hinge is missing the middle leaf. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is good.

The gilding is worn in places, mainly to the bow and stem.

OUTER CASE : Gilt with no maker’s mark.

The hinge, catch and catch button are fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. There is even wear to the gilding throughout, but otherwise it is in good condition.

George Lindsay is known to have been working since 1743, and was appointed watchmaker to his majesty George III in 1760. He worked at the Dial, facing Fountain Tavern, near. St. Catherine St., Strand. Lindsay died in 1776.