A George III silver pair cased pocket watch with dial and movement signed by John Oliver,...

Movement is not currently functioning however balance staff and assembly show no obvious damage. Fusee chain has been over wound onto the barrel. Case shows numerous dents and marks in keeping with the age, material and use.

A silver pair cased pocket watch signed by John Oliver of Manchester (misspelt as Machester). A maker known to be working on that era, born c.1683 and married in Manchester in 1712, died there in 1766. B. Loomes, Clockmakers of Northern England, Mayfield Books, 1997 suggests he retired from active service in about 1749 and refers to a number of high quality 8-day longcase clocks.

Silver champlevé dial with black Roman numerals surrounded by outer brass band, Manchester spelt “Machester”, the hands are of a modified Thompion style (ref;  de Carle, Donald, Watch & Clock Encyclopaedia, N.A.G. Press Ltd), inlaid black resin to Roman numerals shows damage, case spring lever concealed to dial at six o’clock.

Outer pair case is hallmarked London 1758 with makers’ mark rubbed to the point of being indistinct, possibly reading N.S or R.S. Button it dented but intact, inner case had personal engraving to the reverse for a “Anne Watson” and is not hallmarked however bares the initials IC beneath crown to the centre inside reverse. Plain bow is pivoted at the case.

Gilt brass movement, pierced balance cock decorated with satyr head and scrolling acanthus leaf detail, large foot is pierced with similar acanthus leaf scrolling. Brass top bush for the balance is standing proud of the surface. Large polished retaining screw with undercut head does not appear to be in keeping and may be a later replacement using a contemporary screw. Three armed steel balance wheel with knife edge crossing. Silver Arabic key adjusted regulation. Top plate signed Jno Oliver. Square baluster pillars appear to be a later variations of the Egyptian style and are typical of the era. Appears to be continental in manufacture, probably Swiss indicated by; Large polished steel case spring, a typical feature of continental design however unusual for an English watch; Manchester spelling error to the dial, possibly implying the engraver had little knowledge of English cities and language; Hallmark implies a date of 1758 however B. Loomes, Clockmakers of Northern England, Mayfield Books, 1997 suggests that John Oliver of Manchester retired from service in 1749; The inner case is marked with the initials I.C below a crown which may belong to a John Carpenter who was known to be working in that area and era, however his initials should be in a round topped cartouche. In contrast, many Swiss marks of the mid 18^th century were topped with a coronet. Other interesting contradictions; A date of 1758 would be very late for a champlevé dial in England; The proportions of the back plate furniture are very large and leave no room for a place of manufacture; Piercing to the balance cock table and foot is unusually open and not of the standard of that period in English manufacture. Fellows & Sons do not guarantee the working order or accuracy of any watches sold.