Liverpool Verge with interesting Scottish inscriptions

An early 19th century verge watch, in silver pair cases, with subsidiary seconds and stop work. All in particularly good condition.

MOVEMENT : This is a good quality gilt fusee movement, with verge escapement, engraved and pierced balance cock, diamond endstone, four round baluster pillars, blued screws and silver regulator disk. The movement is protected by a removable gilt dustcap.

Signed John Wood, LIVERPOOL and numbered 1205.

Running well and in very good condition throughout.

DIAL : The white enamel dial has a subsidiary seconds dial, and stop work.
A lever on the side of the case at 5 can be used to stop and restart the movement.

In almost perfect condition, with just a few very light short surface scratches.

Blued steel hands.

INNER CASE : Silver, with hallmarks for Chester, 1810, maker’s mark NL.

The back is beautifully engraved with a motto, name and date :

VIGILANTIBUS
Alexander Aitchison
1818

with a cockerel to the centre.

All in very good condition, with a coiuple of light bruises to the edge of the back. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. The high dome crystal has some light scratches but no chips. The bow and stem are original.

OUTER CASE : This is a heavy silver pair case, with hallmarks and maker’s mark matching the inner. Again it is engraved on the back, but this time with a family coat of arms, and a motto :

PRAISE GOD FOR ALE
By this be live

Again, the silver is in very good condition. The hinge, catch and catch button are all fine and the case snaps shut.

John Wood is listed in Liverpool between about 1798 and 1828.

The case maker is probably Nicholson Lee of Ray Street, Liverpool.

The engravings on the cases may relate to the Aitchison family of Aidrie, Scotland.