Large Liverpool Sun & Moon dial watch

A large, early18th century Liverpool verge, with a ‘wandering hour’ sun & moon dial, in good silver pair cases

MOVEMENT : The gilt verge movement has a beautifully pierced and engraved winged balance cock with a mask at the neck and birds and foliage above. There are four wide crested tulip pillars and a silver regulator disk. Undamaged blued steel screws.

Signed John Williamson.

In excellent condition, and running well.

DIAL : The silver champleve ‘wandering hour’ or retrograde dial has a central revolving disk.
The daytime half shows a golden sun and clouds. The night half shows the mood and stars against a blued sky.
The area under the cut out is nicely engraved and is signed :
WILLIAMSON
LEVERPOOL

Blued steel minute hand, of the period, and probably original. In fine condition.

INNER CASE : Silver, with no maker’s mark.

In good condition throughout, though the stem has been reattached. The hinge is good and the bezel snaps shut. The high dome bull’s eye crystal is fine.

OUTER CASE : A silver case, again with no maker’s mark.

In good condition, with just a little wear to the catch button. The catch and hinge are fine and the bezel snaps shup.

John Williamson is listed in Liverpool in 1710. He died in 1716.