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John Chance, Chepstow, verge pocket watch in embossed pair case — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

John Chance, Chepstow, verge pocket watch in embossed pair case

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
John Chance (maker)
Date
1775
Country of origin
England
Object type
Pocket watch
Dimensions
Diameter 55 mm
Stock no.
Product 4427
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 4427)
Catalogue title (original)
John Chance Chepstow Pocket Watch (English)

Editor's note

Title tidied from the listing; maker and town from the signature.

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 4427), this is a pocket watch by John Chance, made in England, dated 1775. The Atlas places it in the Precision & Scientific Horology period (1750 – 1850) of its Pocket Watches collection. Recorded dimensions: Diameter 55 mm. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

Step back in time with the John Chance Chepstow Pocket Watch, a remarkable artifact from 1775 that embodies the craftsmanship and elegance of the late 18th century. This exquisite “onion watch” is not only a testament to the horological prowess of its era but also a rare collector’s item in exceptional condition. With its original dial and hands preserved to perfection, the watch showcases a beautifully embossed case featuring a biblical scene, complete with the maker’s signature and stamp. Inside, the watch houses a meticulously maintained movement with a verge and conoid escapement, both signed and numbered, ensuring its historical authenticity and operational excellence. Weighing 109.93 grams and measuring 55mm in diameter and 24mm in thickness, this silver-cased marvel is a true museum-worthy piece. Its manual wind movement and Early Victorian style further enhance its allure, making it an indispensable addition to any serious collection of antique timepieces. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or an admirer of historical artifacts, the John Chance Chepstow Pocket Watch is an extraordinary find that offers a glimpse into the rich heritage of English watchmaking. We have an incredibly rare and historically significant John Chance pocket watch from Chepstow, dating back to around 1775. This particular watch is of the “onion watch” variety and is in remarkable condition for its age. The original dial and hands are completely intact and look as good as new. The outside case is beautifully embossed with a depiction of a biblical scene and bears the maker’s signature and stamp. Inside, you’ll find a perfectly working movement with a verge and conoid escapement, which is also signed and numbered. This is a true museum-worthy piece due to its rarity and exceptional preservation. The watch has a gross weight of 109.93 grams and measures 55mm in diameter and 24mm in thickness. If you’re a collector or a lover of antique timepieces, this John Chance pocket watch is an absolute must-have. Creator: John Chance Case Material: Silver Weight: 110 g Case Shape: Round Movement: Manual Wind Case Dimensions: Height: 24 mm (0.95 in)Width: 55 mm (2.17 in) Style: Early Victorian Place of Origin: England Period: Late 18th Century Date of Manufacture: 1775 Condition: Good

Historical context

Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)

Harrison solves longitude; Mudge invents the lever; Breguet's Paris workshop defines the modern watch.

From 1750 to 1850 the watch became a precision instrument. Mudge's lever escapement, the cylinder escapement, Lépine's thin bar calibre, Breguet's innovations (overcoil, tourbillon, perpétuelle) and the pocket chronometer of Arnold and Earnshaw all date from this period, while verge watches remained common in cheaper production.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Early Modern Horology

Atlas type guide

Verge and pair-cased watches

After Christiaan Huygens and Robert Hooke applied the balance spring around 1675, the verge watch became a reasonably reliable timekeeper and the minute hand became standard. Through the eighteenth century the typical English watch was a pair-cased verge: a fusee movement with a pierced, engraved balance cock, housed in an inner case and a separate protective outer case, often of repoussé gold, shagreen, tortoiseshell or enamel.

French watches of the same period were thicker 'oignons', later replaced by elegant thinner watches following Jean-Antoine Lépine's bar-bridge calibre of c. 1770. Dutch, Swiss and German makers supplied international markets, and verge watches were made until the mid-nineteenth century as cheaper alternatives to the cylinder and lever.

What to look for

  • The pierced balance cock on the backplate: winged (continental) or with a foot (English); its style dates the watch.
  • Fusee and chain visible through the movement; key winding through the dial (early) or case back.
  • Hallmarks inside English silver or gold cases, which give a date letter.
  • Maker's name and serial number engraved on the backplate; watch papers inside outer cases.
  • Enamel dials (after c. 1720) versus earlier champlevé metal dials.

Dating clues

  • Champlevé dials: c. 1680–1730; white enamel dials thereafter.
  • English case hallmarks give the year of assay to within a year.
  • Verge watches persisted in cheap production until c. 1850.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:FuseeBalance spring (hairspring)Verge escapement

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