Early 18thc. Verge With Mock Pendulum Balance

Early 18thc. London gilt pair cased watch, with mock pendulum movement.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced winged balance cock. Semi circular cutout to reveal mock pendulum. Four tulip pillars.

Signed JOHN MONCREIF, LONDON and numbered 125.

In good condition throughout and running well.

DIAL : Fine gold champleve dial, with central disk signed as the movement.

There are a few small pieces of black infill missing from the chapter ring numerals, but otherwise in very good condition throughout.

Nice early black steel hands.

INNER CASE : Gilt brass, with maker’s mark WG and movement serial number (125).

There is some even wear to the gilding but otherwise the condition is good.. The hinge is fine (possibly an old repair to one sleeve) and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The high dome crystal is also fine.

OUTER CASE : Gilt brass, with no maker’s mark. Nice square hinge. Engraved to bezel and back.

The hinge, catch and catch button are fine and the case snaps closed (though gapes a little at the stem). The brass is in good condition but the engraving is heavily, though evenly, worn.

John Moncreif is listed in London between 1688 and about 1700.

The case maker is probably William Ginn of Little Old Bayly, London.