Early London Verge Pocket Watch

This is an early verge, in gilt pair cases, with a gilt champleve dial.

MOVEMENT : Gilded fusee verge movement, with engraved and pierced winged balance cock, engraved with foliage, scrolls and a bird at the top. Three wide tulip pillars and a single narrower Egyptian (this is not a replacement but original, allowing space for the contrate wheel).

Signed Symons, London.

In reasonable condition, but a little damage to the bottom of the balance foot. Running well.

DIAL : A nice gilt champleve dial.

In good coverall condition.

Good 18thc. blued steel beetle and poker hands, again in good condition.

There are 3 unused holes in the movement dial plate, so this dial is probably a replacement.

INNER CASE : Yellow metal case (possibly Pinchbeck), with case number W 917 stamped on the inside.

The case is in quite poor condition, with dents around the bottom of the back, some of these resulting in a hole on the edge at 5. The gilt brass stem and bow are replacements. The high dome crystal has a few light scratches but no chips.

OUTER CASE : Gilded copper (or brass) with no maker’s mark.

In good condition though the gilding is worn in places. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the bezel snaps shut.

The inner is a perfect fit to the outer, so is probably original.