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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Edward Prior Ottoman Market Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This pocket watch, dating to 1813-1814, is signed and numbered 40767 by the London-based maker Edward Prior. The piece consists of an 18-carat gold inner case with a winding aperture and an outer gold and enamel case. The outer case features a polychrome enamel scene depicting a lakeside town with a bridge, tower, and ship, surrounded by a scalloped frame with champlevé enamel foliate and scroll bezels in various opaque and translucent colors. The white enamel dial displays Turkish numerals and an outer minute ring, with beetle-and-poker style blued steel hands. The dial is signed by George Prior. The movement is a gilded full-plate design featuring a fusee and chain mechanism, a verge escapement, a decoratively pierced balance cock, a diamond end-stone, and a silver regulation plate marked with Turkish numerals. The piece is attributed to the Ottoman market.

The outer enamel case featuring a polychrome landscape scene.
The outer enamel case featuring a polychrome landscape scene. — Mayfair Auction House (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Edward Prior
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
97
Source-reported date
1813-1814
Source-reported place
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
40767

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

Case and Dial Construction

The watch features an 18-carat gold inner case containing the movement, which includes a winding aperture on the back. The case carries London hallmarks and is marked by the maker with the initials AN. The outer case serves a decorative function, finished with a polychrome enamel scene of a lakeside town. This scene incorporates a bridge, a walled town, a tower, and a sailing ship.

The border of the outer case is designed with a scalloped frame. Further ornamentation consists of champlevé enamel foliate and scroll bezels, utilizing a combination of opaque blue and translucent red enamels. The dial is white enamel and utilizes Turkish numerals, paired with an outer minute track and blued steel hands designed in a beetle-and-poker style. The dial bears the signature of George Prior.

Evidence for this section
  • “An 18-carat gold inner case, featuring a winding aperture at the back”
  • “showcasing a gold and enamel outer case adorned with a captivating lakeside scene”
  • “dial crafted from white enamel, with Turkish numerals”
  • “dial signed by George Prior of London”

Movement and Technical Specifications

The movement is a gilded full-plate type constructed with a fusee and chain mechanism for power delivery. The watch operates on a verge escapement. The balance system comprises a three-arm flat steel balance and a diamond end-stone. The balance cock is decoratively pierced and engraved.

To accommodate the intended market, the movement includes a silver regulation plate featuring Turkish numerals. The watch is signed and numbered by Edward Prior of London.

Evidence for this section
  • “the movement featuring a gilded full plate, a three-arm flat steel balance and a verge escapement”
  • “a decoratively pierced and engraved balance cocoa, a diamond end-stone”
  • “a silver regulation plate with Turkish numerals”
  • “further with a fusee and chain mechanism, signed and numbered by Edward Prior of London”

Hallmarks and Attribution

The watch is associated with the Ottoman market, indicated by the specific use of Turkish numerals on both the dial and the silver regulation plate of the movement. The internal case is hallmarked in London, with the maker's mark recorded as AN. The pendant of the watch is also hallmarked.

Attribution to the period 1813-1814 is provided by the auction description. The watch bears the signature of Edward Prior on the movement and the signature of George Prior on the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “bearing London hallmarks with the case maker’s mark AN incus, the pendant hallmarked”
  • “A POCKET WATCH FOR OTTOMAN MARKET, 1813-1814”

Open research questions

  • What is the relationship between the signatory George Prior on the dial and Edward Prior on the movement?
  • Does the maker's mark 'AN' correspond to a specific London casemaker active between 1813 and 1814?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Edward Prior Ottoman Market Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerEdward Prior“Signed and numbered Edward Prior, London 40767”
Serial Number40767“numbered Edward Prior, London 40767”
Date1813-1814“1813-1814”
Case Material18-carat gold“An 18-carat gold inner case”
Dial SignatureGeorge Prior“dial signed by George Prior of London”
EscapementVerge escapement“verge escapement”
Outer Case Dimensions37mm“Outer case 37mm diameter”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial featuring Turkish numerals
  • Outer case decorated with polychrome enamel landscape scene
  • Blued steel beetle-and-poker style hands
  • Scalloped frame design on the outer case

Research qualifications

  • The dial is signed by George Prior, while the watch is attributed to Edward Prior
  • The 31cm measurement for the inner case is likely a typographical error for 31mm

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

A POCKET WATCH FOR OTTOMAN MARKET, 1813-1814, SIGNED AND NUMBERED EDWARD PRIOR, LONDON 40767

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 7c8d61bd9b

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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