MOVEMENT : Nicely gilded movement with very ornate pillars, blued screws, and engraved and pierced balance cock. The movement is signed and numbered (63229). It is in good original condition and is running, though a little fast (gaining two minutes per hour).

DIAL : The signed enamel dial, with Turkish numerals, is about 38 mm in diameter. It is in reasonable condition with no repairs but three light hairlines from the centre and chips on the edge around 6 o’clock. Nice blued steel beetle and poker hands.

SILVER INNER CASE : Full London hallmarks for 1848, maker JBWW. The high dome crystal has a few light scratches but no chips or cracks. The silver is in very good condition. Hinge and catch fine. The bow and pendant are fine and appear to be original, without the usual repaired join to the case. Diameter 44.25 mm.

SILVER SECOND CASE : Diameter 52 mm. with matching hallmarks to the inner. The silver is in very good condition and the case is perfect except for some wear to the catch button.

SILVER/SHELL THIRD CASE : Diameter 62 mm. No silver hallmarks. The construction is of a brass base with silver rims. In quite good condition with a good colour to the shell. No restoration but a couple of cracks to the shell on the bezel and one small chip. On the back there is a crack across the top just below the catch button and a piece of shell missing just to the right of the button (1cm). There are quite a few silver pins missing. The hinge and catch are fine though again the catch button has worn down.

SILVER FOURTH CASE : Diameter 74 mm. No hallmarks. The hinge and catch are fine and the case snaps shut nicely. There are a few short cracks to the silver on the top where the engraving has become quite worn.

Edward Prior wirked in London between 1812 and 1868. Like his father, George, who he succeeded, Prior specialized in watches for the Eastern market and was making verge watches of 18th century style, still popular in this market, well into the 19th century.