An early Edinburgh verge, with interesting provenance

An early Edinburgh verge, with interesting provenance.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance cock. Four square baluster pillars, and silver regulator disk.
The balance cock table has a ‘lace’ edge decoration which is a feature occasionally found on London watches of this period.

Running well, and in good condition. One non matching screw on the top plate and a small piece of the gilt stop work bracket has broken off.

Signed “Saml. Brown, Edinburgh” and numbered (585).

DIAL : A fine white enamel signed dial, in good condition. Signed “BROWN EDINBURGH”.

No repairs or hairlines, but a small chip at the centre aperture, and a larger one at the opening catch at 6.

Good 18th century steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with hallmarks for London, 1759, maker’s mark HT.

In good condition. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is perfect. Initials lightly scratched to inside and out (see Provenance below).

OUTER CASE : Silver pair case, with hallmarks matching the inner.

Again in good condition. The catch button has worn down, but the catch itself is complete and the case does snap shut. Initials lightly scratched to inside (see Provenance below).

Samual Brown succeeded his father John in Edinburgh in 1750, and died in 1787.

The case maker was probably Henry Cleaver Taylor of London.

PROVENANCE : The case contains interesting hand written papers stating that the owner in 1925 was Mr. W.P.M. Rouse of the Indian Imperial Police, and that the watch was made for his great grandfather in 1759. Both cases have his name or initials lightly scratched.
The further paper shows the crest of the Indian Imperial Police.