Silver repousse pair cased verge

A late 18th century verge watch, in silver repousse pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilded verge escapement, with an engraved and pierced balance cock, showing entwined foliage and a bird to the neck. Four square baluster pillars, silver regulator disk and blued screws.

Signed (Edw. Pamer, London) and numbered (2037).

The movement is in good condition, and is running well.

DIAL : The fine white enamel dial is in excellent condition, with just a few light scratches and a faint short hairline on the edge between 15 and 20.

Good early steel beetle and poker hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with London hallmarks for 1778 and maker’s mark SP. Sliding shutter to the winding aperture.

In good condition, with just a couple of small bruises around the band. The stem has been reattached. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The high dome, bull’s eye crystal is perfect.

OUTER CASE : An attractive silver pair case with repousse decoration showing a classical scene, with two central figures surrounded by scrolls. Hallmarked for London, 1771.

In quite good condition, though with some wear to the high points of the repousse work, mainly around the rim of the bezel and the figures on the back. There is an old repair, visible only from the inside.
The hinge, catch and catch button are all fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly.
This repousse case is unusual. It is very unusual to find these repousse cases with hallmarks, and this one is also of a heavier gauge of silver than most (which are usually very light). Although slightly older than the inner case, it is a good fit.

Edward Pamer is listed in London in 1780.

The inner case maker is Southern Payne, working at 17 Bridgewater Square, Barbican, London during the middle and late 18th century.