A large silver pair cased verge, with an unusual, beautiful silver balance cock.

MOVEMENT : A fine quality verge movement, with solid silver engraved and pierced balance cock. Signed ‘David Wyche’. The movement is in very good original condition and running well.

DIAL : Good signed silver champleve dial. Some of the black infill is missing and some scratches on the right hand side of the central disk, but generally in very good condition. Nice original 18th century steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, no hallmarks or maker’s mark. In good condition. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely. Good high dome crystal with no damage. The bow and pendant appear to be replacements and the pendant has been reattached.

OUTER CASE : A large and thick silver pair case, with maker’s mark RB and a small stamped mark on the box hinge which I believe to be the London assay year mark for 1701. It is very rare to find silver marks of any kind on watch cases of this age. All in very good condition. The hinge is fine and the case snaps shut nicely.

A interesting silk liner inside the outer case has a poem “The Happy Fireside” printed on it. The silk is a little stained by rust, but is complete.

David Wyche is listed in London (Cross Keys Tavern, Strand) from 1686 until 1717. This watch dates from about 1700, which matches the year mark on the outer case nicely.