George Margetts Gold Astronomical Verge Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1778
This gold consular-cased verge pocket watch is signed by George Margetts and features an outer case hallmarked for London, 1778, with the maker's mark 'IP'. The movement incorporates a standard fusee and verge escapement, marked 'SW' under the balance cock, and is protected by a gilt-brass dust-cap stamped 'IE'.
The piece is distinguished by a rotating enamel astronomical and tidal dial that displays constellations, solar and lunar positions along the zodiac, the age of the moon, and high tide times for British ports. A fixed central enamel dial indicates civil time.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Astronomical verge pocket watch
- Case Maker
- IP
- Escapement
- Verge escapement
- Case Diameter
- 55.20 millimetres
- Dust cap Maker
- IE
- Movement Punch
- SW
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Maker / attribution
- George Margetts
- Case Production Date
- 1778
- Movement Construction
- Fusee and verge escapement
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel astronomical dial decorated with celestial constellation figures and zodiac scales • Small fixed central white enamel dial showing Roman numeral hour markings and port names • Openwork celestial ring framework and indicator arms overlying the rotating astronomical disc • Smooth gold consular outer case fitted with pendant and suspension bow
- Case and External Construction
- The watch is housed in a gold consular case measuring 55.20 millimetres in diameter. It is fitted with a pendant and suspension bow. The case bears the maker’s mark 'IP' and London hallmarks for 1778. An internal gilt-brass dust-cap is stamped with the mark 'IE'.
- Movement and Maker Attribution
- The movement is signed 'George Margetts London' and utilizes a standard fusee and verge escapement. The movement plate is marked 'SW' beneath the balance cock. The mechanism is designed to rotate the dial once per sidereal day, while the solar and lunar indicators operate on independent cycles.
- Dial and Astronomical Indications
- The watch features an enamel astronomical and tidal dial that displays the positions of the sun, moon, and stars, as well as the age of the moon and high tide times for specific British ports. A fixed central white enamel dial shows civil time. The current single central hand is noted as a non-original replacement; the configuration was originally intended to utilize separate hour and minute hands. Evidence beneath the central dial suggests an early design iteration intended to track lunar phases.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Source notes the single central hand is a non-original replacement; it originally had separate hour and minute hands
- Research required: Internal movement, dust-cap, and hallmarks are covered by the case and not visible in the dial-side view