Gold cased verge made for Thomas Dolben, Segrwyd, Denbighshire, Wales

A fine gold London pair cased verge with the owner’s name in place of numbers on the dial, with an interesting and beautifully engraved outer pair case.

MOVEMENT : Good quality gilded verge fusee movement, with engraved and pierced balance cock, silver regulator disk and blued screws. 6 spokes to the 3rd and 4 wheels (a sign of quality).

Signed (Jno. Green, St.Martins Court, London) and numbered (885). All in good original condition, and running well.

DIAL : Fine white enamel, in very good condition with just one hairline running from the edge at 8.
The name of the owner ‘THOMAS DOLBEN’ is used in place on numbers on the chapter ring. Gilt hands.

INNER CASE : 22ct gold, hallmarked for London, 1768. Maker’s mark RP.
Some light bruises to the back and band, but generally ok.. The high dome crystal is fine. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely.
The bow and stem are later gilt brass replacements.

OUTER CASE : 22ct gold, with matching hallmarks to the inner.
In very good condition throughout with just a couple of very light bruises to the back. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the case closes correctly.

The back of the case is beautifully engraved with the Dolben family coat of arms.

John Green is listed at S. Martins Court, London in around 1780.

The case maker is probably Richard Palmer of Clerkenwell, London.

The crest on the outer case is that of the Dolbens, an important Welsh gentry family, whose former seat was at Segrwyd, a house in Denbighshire, Wales.