MOVEMENT : Gilded cylinder movement, with finely engraved and pierced balance cock, and diamond endstone. Signed (Tho. Mudge London) and numbered (704). The movement is protected by a removable gilt dustcap, which is signed by Mudge and partner Dutton. The movement number (704) is scratched on the inside of the cap. The movement appears to be fully original, in good condition with just a few scratches around the pillar tops. It is running well.

DIAL : The white enamel dial is in quite good condition with no repairs, but with a small chip on the edge at 10, a hairline at 12 and a few surface scratches.

Blued steel beetle and poker hands. The hour hand is 18th century and a little corroded, but the minute hand is later.

INNER CASE : Silver, hallmarked for London, 1765, maker TL. Case serial number 3560. In good overall condition. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely. The high dome crystal has a few light scratches but no chips.

There are a series of regular notches cut into the rim of the case on the right hand side. I am not sure of the purpose of these.

OUTER CASE : Brass body with silver rims and covered with shagreen. No maker’s mark. The silver and shagreen are in very good condition.

The hinge, catch and catch button are also in good condition and the bezels snaps shut correctly.

The shagreen covering is a replacement, and has been glued, not pinned. But it has been well done, with any gaps against the silver rims infilled with a green filler.

The case maker’s mark on the inner case is for Thomas Layton who is documented in London from 1762.

William Dutton became partner to Thomas Mudge in around 1750 and took over the business from Mudge in 1771. The movement serial number dates this watch to about 1765.