English 18th Century Pair Case Verge Fusée Pocket Watch by Charleson of London

This pocket watch dates from the mid 1700s and blends mechanical skill and artistic quality.  The timepiece resides within a pair of brass cases, one fitted inside the other. A design commonly referred to as a “pair case”. The outermost case is gilt brass repoussé, and delicately depicts a neoclassical scene with three distinct figures.

The innermost case houses a verge fusée movement. The fusée is the most elegant and earliest mechanism successfully applied to clock and watchmaking to achieve more accurate timekeeping. A design that has revolutionized accuracy in clocks and watches throughout the centuries. Thus, allowing timekeeping to transform from being off by hours to merely minutes within a week.

The artistic element of this piece further carries on to the watch’s interior. Lavish engravings adorn the mechanism. The image of a mischievous face even makes an appearance on the watch’s balance bridge, as well as the signature “W Charleson London 1767.” The original enamel dial displays the time on elegant Roman numeral markers.

The key wound movement bears a full restoration and an 18 month warranty.

Circa 1760