A fine old English verge watch, in a beautifully engraved silver case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with very finely engraved and pierced winged balance cock and plate. Signed (Jno. Hocker, Reading). Four large Egyptian pillars. Good overall condition (there is a piece missing from the stopwork bracket at the fusee), and running well.

DIAL : White enamel dial in good condition, but with repairs on the edge at 2 and 6. This dial is a later replacement, probably added in the late 18th century.

Fancy gilt hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, but with no marks (normal for a case of this age). In good condition, with a little compression around the band and a repair to the inside where the stem has been reattached. The stem and bow are probably later, possible changed with the dial to suit the later fashions.

The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut. The high dome crystal is also fine.

OUTER CASE : Silver pair case with no marks. Although quite worn, especially on the back, the beautiful engraved decoration is still visible. The bezel is decorated with garlands of flowers and leaves, and the back (around the rim) shows houses, foliage and birds.

The catch and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly.

John Hocker is listing in Reading between 1682 and 1729.