Sep 04 2017
C1706 Joseph Windmills London Large Silver Pair Case Verge Fusee Pocket Watch
Posted by in c1706
LARGE SILVER PAIR CASED VERGE FUSEE POCKET WATCH WITH CHAMPLEVE DIAL. A fine and rare early 18th century English key wound and set large and deep silver pair cased verge fusee pocket watch by eminent father & son clock and watch makers Joseph & Thomas Windmills. The deep fire gilt verge, chain driven fusee movement is signed Windmills London and serial numbered 3749 to match the inner case, It has pierced Egyptian pillars , a large finely pierced and engraved winged balance cock incorporating face mask, the balance cock having extra support feet to form a balance bridge and with a finely pierced and engraved broad cock foot, a polished flat steel three arm balance and a large silver Tompion disc regulator (disc numbered 0-25). With chain fusee and worm and wheel barrel. The maker signed champleve silver dial has a Roman numeral hour chapter and an Arabic numeral minute chapter, it has beetle and poker hands. The inner silver split bezel case with later pendant upgrade is serial numbered 3749 to match the movement and case maker stamped WI. For William Jaques , of Angel court Snowhill, a highly esteemed London watch case maker who also made cases for Daniel Quare and Thomas Tompion. The plain outer silver pair case has a seven segment square hinge (which is always a sign of good craftsmanship), a push button catch with a button return back spring. Both cases are in as near to mint condition as you could likely get for a case of this age, the outer case does have a couple of tiny pin holes on the bezel near 4 o clock position which have since been silver soldered within to consolidate. The pocket watch is 58mm (60mm inc hinge) in diameter from left to right. The combined weight of both cases and movement is 163 grammes (5.7ozs). The verge movement is in good strong running order and for a verge of such an early age, it is testament to the makers skills that it is an exceptionally good time keeper. He and his son Thomas were both members of the clock makers company and Joseph sat on committees alongside Thomas Tompion where in 1702 he preceded him as master of the Worshipful company of clock makers. In 1710 he took over the contract to maintain the clocks within the tower of London from Thomas Tompkins. Thomas Windmills entered into partnership with his father sometime between 1686 & 1695 he was made free of the clockmakers company in 1695, during their time together as successful business partners their watch movements were signed’Windmills, London’ prior to their partnership they were signed Jos or J Windmills, London’ and after Josephs death were signed’Tho Windmills, London’. Joseph spent 52 years at his trade before his death, Thomas who was the last of the Windmills male blood line continued to run the business until his death in 1837. Examples of their works can be found in the British museum and many other worldwide horological museums. See J A Neales book on Joseph and Thomas Windmills for comprehensive details. William Jaques (active 1679 died 1719) was a specialist watch case maker who served the first part of his apprentiship under John Wright Senior and the later part of his apprentiship under Nethaniel Delander. Jaques became free of the worshipful company of clock making in 1687 and later went on to serve as master of the Worshipful company of clock making in 1716. He has been described by watch historians as one of the leading London case makers at the end of the late seventeenth century, making cases not only for Windmills but other watch makers including Tompion, Quare, Decharmes and Bushman, examples of his work can be found in museums around the world including the British museum and the metropolitan museum of art, whilst some of his watch cases are fine and elaborate, many of them are noted to be plain, however the latter are generally robust, well hinged and split bezelled. When he died the business was carried on by his widow Sarah who went into parterniship with case maker John Lee a former apprentice of Jaques. See J A Neales book on Windmills for further details. Watch key and new wooden presentation box included. Add me to your. The item “C1706 JOSEPH WINDMILLS LONDON LARGE SILVER PAIR CASE VERGE FUSEE POCKET WATCH” is in sale since Monday, August 21, 2017. This item is in the category “Jewellery & Watches\Watches, Parts & Accessories\Pocket Watches”. The seller is “jal247″ and is located in England. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Brand: Windmills
- Material: Sterling Silver
- MPN: Does Not Apply
- Closure: Open Face
- Year of Manufacture: C1706
- Movement: Mechanical (Hand-winding)
- Escapement Type: Verge
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
- Type: Pair case verge fusee