Silver Repeating Verge by Hally

A fine quality, mid 18th century, London verge, in silver pair cases and with quarter repeating mechanism.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, the finely engraved and pierced balance cock with diamond endstone. Four baluster pillars, blued screws, polished steel hammers, and silver regulator disk. Signed (Thos. Hally, LONDON) and numbered (1406).

The movement is protected by a removable gilt dustcap, signed and numbered as the movement.

All in very good, complete condition and running well. The repeat mechanism is also functioning correctly.

DIAL : Fine early enamel dial. Almost perfect condition, with just some small flakes around the centre. Good 18th century gold beetle and poker hands.
On the edge of the dial, at 7 o’clock there is a small steel lever. This is the ‘pulse piece’ which allows the repeat chime to be dulled.

INNER CASE : Silver, with steel bell fixed with a central screw. Beautifully engraved and pierced.
The case is in good condition. The hinge has lost the central sleeve but is still firm, and there is a little wear to the rim and centre of the back. The bezel snaps shut correctly.
The high dome crystal is also fine.

OUTER CASE : Silver, again beautifully pierced and decorated.
In very good condition, with just some light wear to the engraving on the back.
The catch, catch button and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly.

Sotheby’s sold a large coach watch by Thomas Hally (July 2017), dated 1753, serial number 1497.
This watch has a very similar enamel dial to the above, and other similarities.
The sale information included a little information about this maker :
“Although little has been written about Thomas Hally, he was a maker of both clocks and watches and it would appear that he was well connected to the Scottish aristocracy. Several clocks by Hally are owned by the Duke of Atholl at Blair Castle and a further long case clock by this maker is at the House of the Binns, the seat of the Dalyell family.”

PROVENANCE : This watch was formerly in the collection of Georges Baptiste, antique dealer and former President of BRAFA (Brussels Art Fair).