Gold verge watch with fusee
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1750
According to the Science Museum Group, this mid-18th-century French verge pocket watch with fusee is encased in an engine-turned, enamelled gold hunter case bordered with split pearls.
The front hunter lid displays radiating engine turning under translucent dark blue enamel, centring an oval polychrome painted enamel medallion depicting a seated winged cherub. The lid is shown partially open to reveal a white dial marked with Arabic numerals. Resting beside the case is an associated metallic winding key with a circular boss stamped with raised lettering.
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
- Date
- circa 1750
- Type
- Verge hunter pocket watch
- Materials
- Enamelled gold, pearls and metal (unknown)
- Place recorded
- France
- Place of Origin
- France
- Case Description
- Engine turned enamelled gold hunter case decorated with split pearls
Design
- Visible features
- • Hunter lid features dark blue translucent guilloché enamel over engine turning, surrounding an oval polychrome miniature of a winged putto or cherub. • Outer border of the hunter lid is set with a continuous row of split pearls. • Partially open front lid reveals a white enamel dial with Arabic hour numerals. • A stepped brass or gilt-metal pendant with bow is attached at the top of the case. • A separate metal winding key with a rounded medallion stamped with raised lettering lies adjacent to the watch.
- Dial and Associated Elements
- With the front hunter cover partially open, a white enamel dial marked with Arabic hour numerals is visible. A separate metal winding key rests alongside the watch case, displaying a rounded medallion stamped with raised lettering. The inscription on the key is not transcribed in the museum record.
- Object Identity and Provenance
- Catalogued under object number 1992-197 by the Science Museum Group, this timepiece is identified as a verge watch with fusee dated to circa 1750. The piece forms part of Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection and is held on loan from the Wellcome Trust. The collection record registers the place of origin as France. Individual makers, workshop marks, or internal serial numbers are not documented in the online collection record.
- Case Construction and Decorative Elements
- The museum records the materials as enamelled gold, pearls, and an unidentified metal, describing the housing as an engine-turned enamelled gold hunter case decorated with split pearls. Direct visual inspection shows that the hunter lid features dark blue translucent guilloché enamel over engine turning, surrounding an oval polychrome miniature of a winged putto or cherub. The outer border of the lid is mounted with a continuous row of split pearls, and a stepped brass or gilt-metal pendant with bow is attached at the top of the case.
Identification
- Object Number
- 1992-197
- 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: Internal movement and fusee escapement are closed and cannot be confirmed visually.
- Research required: The maker is not recorded in the museum documentation.