19thc verge for the Turkish market

This is a small London gilt and shell, triple cased pocket watch, with Turkish dial.

MOVEMENT : Gilded movement with very ornate crested pillars, and engraved and pierced balance cock. Blued steel screws and polished steel balance wheel.

The movement is signed “Edwd. Prior, London” and numbered (62260). It is in excellent condition and is running well.

DIAL : The white signed enamel dial, with Turkish numerals, is in almost mint condition, with just a few pinpoint surface nicks.

Nice gilt beetle and poker hands.

GILT INNER CASE : The maker’s mark is “JBWW”.

Very good condition throughout, with just a little wear to the gilding on the stem. The hinge and crystal are fine, and the bezel snaps shut nicely.

GILT SECOND CASE : Maker’s mark partly obscured by case spring, but appears to match the inner.

Again in good condition, with just one small dent on the bottom left hand edge of the back, and slight wear to the gilding in the centre of the back. The catch, catch button and hinge are fine and the case snaps shut nicely.

GILT/SHELL THIRD CASE : The construction is of a brass base with gilt rims.
In quite good condition with good colour and no restoration.

The shell covering is almost complete, with just some small pieces missing on the edge of the back near the neck and hinge. There are some gilt pins missing from both the bezel and the back. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the case closes nicely.

Edward Prior is listed in London between 1812 and 1868. Like his father, George, who he succeeded, Prior specialized in watches for the Eastern market. He was making verge watches of 18th century style, still popular in this market, into the late 19th century, and this is a quite a late example. The serial number on this watch dates it to about 1846.