Silver Pocket Watch by John May

An early English verge with original champleve dial, in silver repousse pair cases. All in exceptional condition

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, the engraved and pierced winged balance cock with wide ‘D’ shaped foot.. Four square pillars and a small silver regulator disk. Signed “John May, LONDON”. In very good condition and running well.

DIAL : Silver champleve dial, in very good condition. Signed “MAY, LONDON” on the central disc. Good early 18th century steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with no hallmarks, but maker’s mark TY under a crown

In excellent condition, with original stem and bow. The hinge and the high dome bull’s eye crystal are fine and the bezel closes correctly.

OUTER CASE : Silver pair case with repousse work to the back, and plain bezel. Again with no hallmarks and matching makers’s mark to the inner.

The hinge and catch are fine and the case closes correctly. The catch button has a dent but otherwise very little wear to the silver with no holes or loss to the repousse detail.

John May, born in Holland, is listed working in London, and in the Clockmakers’ Company from 1693. He died in 1738.

The marks on the cases are for Thomas York, who had freedom of the Clockmaker’s Company as a case maker in 1716.