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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Astronomical verge pocket watch

George Margetts Gold Astronomical Verge Watch

Partially verified

This gold consular-cased verge pocket watch is signed by George Margetts and features an outer case hallmarked for London, 1778, with the maker's mark 'IP'. The movement incorporates a standard fusee and verge escapement, marked 'SW' under the balance cock, and is protected by a gilt-brass dust-cap stamped 'IE'. The piece is distinguished by a rotating enamel astronomical and tidal dial that displays constellations, solar and lunar positions along the zodiac, the age of the moon, and high tide times for British ports. A fixed central enamel dial indicates civil time.

Dial view of the gold consular-cased astronomical watch showing the constellation dial and tidal indications
Dial view of the gold consular-cased astronomical watch showing the constellation dial and tidal indications — British Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.britishmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Astronomical verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
George Margetts
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1778
Country
United Kingdom

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 External Construction

The watch is housed in a gold consular case measuring 55.20 millimetres in diameter. It is fitted with a pendant and suspension bow.

The case bears the maker’s mark 'IP' and London hallmarks for 1778. An internal gilt-brass dust-cap is stamped with the mark 'IE'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold consular case.”
  • “Diameter: 55.20 millimetres (case)”
  • “Case made by: IP”
  • “London hallmarks for 1778”
  • “Gilt-brass dust-cap.”
  • “Dust-cap maker: IE”

Dial and Astronomical Indications

The watch features an enamel astronomical and tidal dial that displays the positions of the sun, moon, and stars, as well as the age of the moon and high tide times for specific British ports. A fixed central white enamel dial shows civil time.

The current single central hand is noted as a non-original replacement; the configuration was originally intended to utilize separate hour and minute hands. Evidence beneath the central dial suggests an early design iteration intended to track lunar phases.

Evidence for this section
  • “Enamel astronomical and tidal dial.”
  • “The central single hand is not original.”
  • “There should be finely made hour and minute hands to show the time on the fixed central dial.”
  • “There is evidence beneath the central dial that Margetts was intending to show the phase of the moon, but it would seem that during construction he changed his mind”

Movement and Maker Attribution

The movement is signed 'George Margetts London' and utilizes a standard fusee and verge escapement. The movement plate is marked 'SW' beneath the balance cock.

The mechanism is designed to rotate the dial once per sidereal day, while the solar and lunar indicators operate on independent cycles.

Evidence for this section
  • “SIGNED: 'George Margetts London'”
  • “The watch movement is in every way standard for the period, with fusee and verge escapement.”
  • “the movement is punched 'SW' beneath the balance cock.”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival records might identify the 'IP' and 'IE' craftsmen associated with the case and dust-cap production?
  • Could non-invasive imaging of the dial aperture reveal the nature of the discarded lunar phase mechanism?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George Margetts Gold Astronomical Verge Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementVerge escapement“Verge escapement;.”
Case MakerIP“Case made by: IP”
Dust-cap MakerIE“Dust-cap maker: IE”
Case Production Date1778“Production date 1778 (case)”
Case Diameter55.20 millimetres“Diameter: 55.20 millimetres (case)”
Movement PunchSW“the movement is punched 'SW' beneath the balance cock.”
Movement ConstructionFusee and verge escapement“The watch movement is in every way standard for the period, with fusee and verge escapement.”
Tidal Ports IncludedPORTSH, LONDON, HULL, YARMH, DOVER DOWNS, PLYMH, DUBLIN“times of high tide at various ports around Great Britain ('PORTSH, LONDON, HULL, YARMH, DOVER DOWNS, PLYMH, DUBLIN')”
Registration Number1898,1217.1“Registration number 1898,1217.1”

Visible details

  • White enamel astronomical dial decorated with celestial constellation figures and zodiac scales
  • Small fixed central white enamel dial showing Roman numeral hour markings and port names
  • Openwork celestial ring framework and indicator arms overlying the rotating astronomical disc
  • Smooth gold consular outer case fitted with pendant and suspension bow

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the single central hand is a non-original replacement; it originally had separate hour and minute hands
  • Internal movement, dust-cap, and hallmarks are covered by the case and not visible in the dial-side view

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

Consulted source

astronomical watch; lunar watch; watch-case | British Museum

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 288f9ebadf

Terms in this record

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