Early London Verge

A large, early 18thc. London verge, in silver pair cases.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with a large and particularly well engraved and pierced winged balance cock. Four Egyptian pillars.

Signed W. Tomlinson, London and numbered 987.

In good condition and running well.

DIAL : Fine silver champleve dial, with central disk signed Conley, London

In very good condition. Nice original 18th century steel hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with worn maker’s mark.

In good condition, though the stem and bow are later replacements. The stem has been slightly pushed into the case, and possibly reattached.
The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The high dome crystal is good.

OUTER CASE : Silver, with no visible maker’s mark.

In good condition, with just a few very small bruises. The hinge, catch and catch button are ok and the bezel snaps shut.

The name on the dial (Conley) does not match the movement signature, but the dial appears to be original, and there seems not to be any 18thc. English watchmaker named Conley. So this name might indicate the original owner rather than maker.

William Tomlinson was born around 1673 at Crosmoore, Lancashire. He worked at Miles Lane, London in 1699 and afterwards at Birchin Lane and Gracechurch Street. He died around 1750.