George Prior Triple Cases

An English verge, the original enamel dial with Turkish numerals, in gilt pair cases, with a shell covered outer third case. Made for the Ottoman market.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance cock. Four very ornate crested pillars and a large silver regulator disk.

Signed Geo. Prior, London and numbered 4526.

In good condition and running well.

DIAL : White enamel dial, signed and with Turkish numerals. In good condition, with no repairs but some surface scratches and a chip around the central aperture.

Gilt hands.

INNER CASE : Gilt brass, with maker ‘s mark IR.

In very good condition, with hardly any wear to the gilding. The hinge is fine, and the bezel closes correctly. The high dome crystal is good, except for some small chips around the edge, the biggest at 6

MIDDLE CASE : Gilt brass pair case with engraved rims to bezel and back.

In very good condition, again with hardly any wear to the gilding. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the case closes correctly. The catch spring is probably a replacement.

OUTER CASE : Shell over a gilt brass case.

In good unrestored condition. The shell on the back is complete, though with two cracks. There is a short section missing to the bezel at 7.

Excellent colour. There are 10 pins missing from the bezel and 5 missing from the back. However the shell is held down firmly except of the larger crack where it is lifting a little.

The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the case closes correctly.

George Prior is listed in London between 1765 and 1812. Like his son Edward, who succeeded him, Prior specialized in watches for the Eastern market and was making verge watches of 18th century style, still popular in this market, into the 19th century.