English silver antique pocket watch - c1786

This is a very fine English (London) silver verge antique pocket watch, dating from 1786. The watch is in excellent condition for a piece dating back over 200 years and is in full working order. It comes from our watchmaker's private collection and is very special. The watch is large and was made by hand [no machinery in those days] by a watchmaker called Edward Bolton of London. It is of course a one-off watch as there was no mass production in those days. Watches took a long time to create and very few people could afford to buy them. It dates well before the first Swiss watchmakers, to a time when the English lead the way in watchmaking.

The watch is paircased [this means that the watch itself sits in an outer case] and the outer case is original to the watch. The watch itself features a silver case, an excellent original dial, original bullseye lens, original gold hands and a very clean chain-driven verge fusee movement. The movement has just been cleaned and oiled by our watchmaker and is in very good working order for a watch of this age. The watch comes with a key for winding and setting and a new presentation box for wrapping as a very special present. If you are looking for a certain financial investment this is it. Fewer and fewer pocket watches from this early era are coming to the market and their value will only rise. If you are buying the watch as a beginner to antique pocket watches, please call us after receiving it so that we can explain how to handle and operate it. Please feel free to request any further photos you may need.

The outer case is made of silver and is in very good condition for its age, with the hinge in good order. The original papers are still inside the back of the case, underneath which are a full set of London hallmarks, dating to 1786. It measures a large 51mm wide.

The case of the watch itself is also silver and also is in very good condition. It measures approximately 42mm wide x 67mm high, including the stem and bow. The stem and bow are in good condition. The case opens on a hinge and the dial/movement swings out on a hinge, with this action working correctly. The inside back of the case carries clear London hallmarks, dating to 1786.

The original, unrestored dial is lovely bright condition, with very minor wear - amazing for its age. The original gold hands are in excellent condition, and the original 'bullseye' lens is very clear, with very minor wear - amazing for a watch of this age.

The original key-wound verge fusee movement [chain-driven] is in excellent, bright condition, and beautifully decorated. It is signed 'Edw. Bolton' and 'London' and '1493'. The movement has just been cleaned by our watchmaker [who specialises in early pocket watches] and is in good working order for its age. Keys will be provided for winding and for setting the hands.

A superb collection-standard antique pocket watch; full of charm and history. Will provide an excellent financial investment as well as a possession to enjoy.

Our asking price is below the true value of the watch. Such is the high quality of the watch, we will include a six months written guarantee on the movement, which is long enough for you to assess the working order. Also, we offer a full refund if you are not entirely happy, as long as the watch is returned in the same condition. Please feel free to view the watch in central London.