Painted Dial Silver Pair Cased Verge, 1800

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

The “Painted Dial Silver Pair Cased Verge – 1800” is a captivating testament to the artistry and precision of late 18th Century English watchmaking. This remarkable timepiece, signed by Sims & Son of London and hallmarked in 1800, is a unique blend of functionality and aesthetic appeal, encapsulated within its silver pair cases. At its heart lies a full plate fire gilt fusee movement, adorned with turned pillars and a beautifully pierced and engraved masked cock, all contributing to its intricate design. The movement is further enhanced by an engraved foot and plate for the silver regulator disc, showcasing the meticulous craftsmanship of its era. The watch’s enamel dial is a true work of art, painted with a charming rural scene that captures the essence of the period. It features a small chapter of Roman numerals on a church’s clock tower, set against a picturesque backdrop where two gentlemen shake hands on a path flanked by gravestones, with a windmill and serene river in the distance. This dial, paired with a plain three-arm steel balance and a blue steel spiral hairspring, offers a visual narrative that is both engaging and historically significant. The watch’s matching plain silver cases, complete with a silver pendant and bow, house a lateral steel stop lever—a rare feature for watches without seconds. Although typically such painted scenes would include automated elements like the windmill’s sails, this piece remains unaltered, with the dial never drilled for an extended arbor, thereby preserving its original design intent. The “Painted Dial Silver Pair Cased Verge - 1800” is not just a timekeeper but a piece of history, a reflection of the creativity and skill of its maker, and a true antique treasure that stands out among its contemporaries with a diameter of 56 mm. This is a unique late 18th Century English verge watch. It features an unusual painted dial in silver pair cases. The watch has a full plate fire gilt fusee movement with turned pillars, giving it a visually appealing design. The movement also includes a pierced and engraved masked cock, as well as an engraved foot and plate for the silver regulator disc. The watch showcases a plain three-arm steel balance and a blue steel spiral hairspring. What makes it stand out is the enamel dial, which is painted with a picturesque rural scene. The time is displayed on a small chapter of Roman numerals on the clock tower of a church in the foreground. Adding to the charm of the dial, two gentlemen are depicted shaking hands on the path leading to the church, with gravestones on either side. In the background, a windmill stands beside a serene river. Interestingly, this watch has a matching plain silver pair of cases, with a silver pendant and bow. It also features a lateral steel stop lever, which is a rare find on watches without seconds. Typically, watches with painted scenes like this have automated sails on the windmill, mounted on a seconds arbor. Although this watch seems to have been intended to have a similar design, the dial has never been drilled for an extended arbor. Nonetheless, this exquisite timepiece showcases the craftsmanship and creativity of its maker, with the windmill situated above the contrate wheel pivot. Overall, this late 18th Century English verge watch with its unusual painted dial and silver pair cases is a true antique treasure. Its unique features make it a standout piece among other timepieces of its era. Signed Sims & Son London Hallmarked London 1800 Diameter 56 mm