Pair cased verge by George Graham, London

A good verge movement, by the great George Graham, in later silver pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, fully signed and numbered (5999). Diamond endstone and 4 square pillars. Well engraved balance cock.
In good condition throughout and running well.

The movement is protected by a signed gilt dustcap.

DIAL : Fine white enamel dial in quite good condition. This is an early enamel dial, possibly original (see notes below). No chips or repairs but numerous surface scratches.

Good 18thc steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Silver case, with London hallmarks for 1775. Maker’s mark IB. In good condition with just a couple of small dents to the back. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is fine.

OUTER CASE : Silver, with matching hallmarks to the inner. A few light bruises in the middle of the back, but otherwise good. The catch is complete and the bezel snaps shut correctly.

The back is nicely engraved with a monogram. In the centre of this engraving there is a small hole which is not caused by wear, but by a heavy strike of the silver punch when adding the case maker’s mark.

The serial number of the movement dates it to about 1740. From about 1726 George Graham switched from using verge to mainly cylinder escapements, so this is quite a late verge for Graham.

This watch is listed in “Thomas Tompion 300 Years” by Jeremy Evans, Jonathan Carter & Ben Wright. This book includes lists of movement serial numbers for Tompion and his successors.
This watch (No. 5999) is listed, in the same pair cases, as possibly having the original dial “Original? Signed white en.”. George Graham was one of the first London makers to adopt enamel dials.