Pocket watch · Verge & pair-cased watch

A Queen Anne silver pair-cased verge pocket watch with champlevé dial, Thomas Windmills

Partially verified

This Queen Anne silver pair-cased verge pocket watch is attributed by the source to Thomas Windmills, London, circa 1705–1710. The dial is silver champlevé, featuring Roman numeral hours, relief-chased fleur-de-lys half-hour marks, outer cartouche Arabic five-minute numerals, and blued steel beetle and poker hands. According to the auction description, the gilt full-plate fusee movement features four Egyptian baluster pillars, Tompion-type regulation, a three-arm balance, and an elaborately pierced balance cock. Both cases are stamped with maker's mark W.I over number 3028.

Front view showing the silver pair case, champlevé dial, and blued steel hands — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: auctions.dreweatts.com
Category: Pocket watch · Verge & pair-cased watch
Form: Pair-cased verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Thomas Windmills
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 196
Source-reported date: circa 1705-10
Source-reported place: United Kingdom
Source-reported serial: 3028

Maker profile: Thomas Windmills — history, key models and current watchmaking.

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Attribution and Origin

This silver pair-cased verge pocket watch is attributed by the source to Thomas Windmills, London, and dated to circa 1705-10. The movement and both cases are stamped with the maker's mark 'W.I' and the serial number '3028'.

The source notes that while Joseph Windmills lived until 1724, it is observed that Thomas Windmills assumed responsibility for the watchmaking aspect of the business prior to 1710.

Evidence for this section

“THOMAS WINDMILLS, LONDON, CIRCA 1705-10”
“both cases with makers initials W.I over stamped number 3028.”
“Although Joseph Windmills lived until 1724 it would seem that Thomas essentially took-on the watchmaking side of the business prior to 1710”

Movement Construction

The watch utilizes a gilt full-plate fusee movement with four Egyptian baluster pillars pinned through the backplate. The verge escapement is regulated by a sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion-type regulation.

The backplate features a scroll-pierced and engraved balance cock, described as having a female mask at the apex and a grotesque mask at the junction with the foot.

Evidence for this section

“The gilt full plate fusee movement with four Egyptian baluster pillars pinned through the backplate”
“verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation”
“the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with female mask at the apex opposing grotesque mask at the junction”

Dial and Visual Features

The silver champlevé dial features a matted center with two relief-chased curved panels engraved 'WINDMILLS, LONDON'. The chapter ring displays Roman numerals, relief-chased fleur-de-lys half-hour marks, and outer cartouche Arabic five-minute numerals.

The watch is fitted with blued steel beetle and poker hands. The inner case includes a suspension post and bow at the 12 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section

“the silver champleve dial with pair of relief chased curved panels engraved WINDMILLS, LONDON to the finely matted centre”
“within Roman numeral chapter ring incorporating relief-chased fleur-de-lys half hour markers and cartouche Arabic five minute numerals to outer track”
“with fine blued steel beetle and poker hands”
“the inner case applied with suspension post and bow at twelve o'clock”

Condition

The source reports the movement is in working order but notes minor rubbing/scratching to the gilding and potential replacement of the escape wheel. The mainspring barrel exhibits solder deposits. One loop of the minute hand is described as bent or compressed.

The inner case shows moderate denting and two small holes drilled into the outer edge at the 6 and 8 o'clock positions. The outer case lacks its clasp hook and exhibits moderate denting and light wear. No winding key is provided.

Evidence for this section

“Movement is in original condition and is working order”
“there is no visible evidence of alteration or noticeable replacements except for the possibly the escape wheel.”
“The mainspring barrel has slight some solder deposits visible within the wall of the mainspring barrel”
“Inner case has overall moderate denting and wear; there are also two small holes drilled to the outer edge (at six and eight o'clock)”
“The outer case is lacking its clasp hook”
“There is no key with the watch.”

Open research questions

What is the historical significance of the holes at the 6 and 8 o'clock positions on the inner case?
Does the W.I maker's mark correspond to a specific case maker identified in other Windmills timepieces?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A Queen Anne silver pair-cased verge pocket watch with champlevé dial, Thomas Windmills
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker and origin	Thomas Windmills, London	“THOMAS WINDMILLS, LONDON, CIRCA 1705-10”
Escapement	Verge escapement with Tompion-type regulation	“verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation”
Dial construction	Silver champlevé dial	“the silver champleve dial with pair of relief chased curved panels engraved WINDMILLS, LONDON to the finely matted centre”
Movement pillars	Four Egyptian baluster pillars	“four Egyptian baluster pillars pinned through the backplate”
Case marks	Maker's mark W.I and number 3028	“both cases with makers initials W.I over stamped number 3028.”
Outer case diameter	5.8 cm (2.25 inches)	“the outer case 5.8cm (2.25ins) diameter.”
Case Dimensions	Pillar plate 4.1cm, inner case 5cm, outer case 5.8cm	“The pillar plate 4.1cm (1.625ins) diameter, the inner case 5cm (2ins) diameter; the outer case 5.8cm (2.25ins) diameter.”