Late 17th century clock watch

This is a late 17th century hourly striking verge, by Charles Gretton.

MOVEMENT : Gilded fusee verge movement, with beautifully engraved and pierced balance cock, and silver regulator disk and strike count wheel. Three very ornate pierced floral pillars and two narrow baluster pillars.

Signed Charles Gretton, London.

The single steel hammer automatically strikes the bell on the hour, once for each hour.
In good condition, running and striking correctly.

DIAL : A silver unsigned champleve dial.
In good coverall condition.

Brass fancy Continental type hands.

CASE : Gilded base metal, heavily engraved, pierced with sound holes to the bezel and band. Both winding apertures on the back with sliding covers. Steel bell screwed to the inside back.

In very good condition with just a little wear to the gilding in places. The hinge, catch button and catch are fine and the bezel snaps shut.

The high dome bull’s eye crystal is good.

The dial, hands and case appear to be later replacements, though very well fitted. These are probably mid 18th century.

Charles Gretton (c1647 to 1731) began producing watches from about 1773, during the golden age of English clock and watchmaking.