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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

George Prior verge repeating pocket watch

Partially verified

This English pocket watch, signed by George Prior of London and dating to the second half of the 18th century, was produced for the Turkish market. The watch features an enamelled dial with Turkish numerals and steel hands. Its movement is constructed with a verge escapement and includes a mechanism for striking and repeating both hours and quarters on an internal silver bell. The timepiece is housed in a pierced silver case, which is elaborately engraved with floral foliage and decorative trophies of arms and musical instruments. The watch is further protected by two separate loose outer cases, also of silver and featuring similar ornamental engraving. The outermost of these protective layers is partially finished with shagreen pique. Additional accessories included with the watch are a silver chain and an engraved, gilt brass key used for winding the timepiece.

The watch showing the pierced silver case with engraved trophies of arms and musical instruments, with the gilt brass key displayed to the left.
The watch showing the pierced silver case with engraved trophies of arms and musical instruments, with the gilt brass key displayed to the left. — Victoria and Albert Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
George Prior
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
O375768 / 366-1897
Source-reported date
1750-1800
Source-reported place
London, England

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

Casing and External Features

The watch is contained within a heavily decorated pierced silver case, which displays complex engraving featuring foliage motifs alongside trophies depicting various arms and musical instruments. This thematic ornamentation is echoed in two additional loose outer cases, which provide supplemental protection for the internal mechanism.

The outermost of these silver casings incorporates shagreen pique decoration, providing a varied texture to the exterior profile. Completing the assembly is a silver chain and an engraved, gilt brass key, the latter of which serves as the winding mechanism for the verge movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pierced silver case engraved with foliage and trophies of arms and musical instruments.”
  • “There are two loose outer caes, also of silver, ornamented with similar work, the outermost being also partly covered with shagreen pique.”

Movement and Horological Function

The watch is powered by a movement regulated by a verge escapement. Designed to serve as a repeater, the internal mechanism is capable of striking the hours and quarters upon a silver bell housed within the case. This specific functional complexity was intended for the Turkish market, as indicated by the specific configuration of the display.

The dial features enamel work and utilizes Turkish numerals to facilitate time reading, accompanied by steel hands. These features characterize the watch as a specialized piece produced for international export during the latter half of the 18th century.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement has a verge escapement and mechanism for striking and repeating hours and quarters on a silver bell.”
  • “The enamelled dial bears Turkish numerals.”

Provenance and History

The watch was acquired for the V&A collection in 1897, having been purchased in Istanbul from Mrs. Alice Whitaker. Mrs. Whitaker was the daughter and heir of William Henry Wrench, who served as the British consul in Istanbul until his death in 1896.

During his tenure as consul, Wrench assembled a collection of objects from both Ottoman and Iranian origins. Archive records PH.331 to 334-1892 provide historical visual documentation of how Wrench displayed this collection within his residence in the Pera district of the city.

Evidence for this section
  • “Purchased in Istanbul in 1897 from Mrs Alice Whitaker, daughter and heir of William Henry Wrench (1836-96).”
  • “Wrench was British consul in the city when he died, and he had formed a significant collection of Ottoman and Iranian objects while in the consular service.”

Open research questions

  • What specific hallmarks are present on the silver cases to confirm the London manufacturing date?
  • Does the repeating mechanism utilize a specific type of gong or bell structure typical of 18th-century English exports to the Ottoman Empire?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for George Prior verge repeating pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGeorge Prior, London“singed George Prior, London”
Accession NumberO375768 / 366-1897“O375768 / 366-1897”
EscapementVerge“The movement has a verge escapement”
Dial NumeralsTurkish“The enamelled dial bears Turkish numerals.”
FunctionalityStriking and repeating“mechanism for striking and repeating hours and quarters on a silver bell.”
MaterialSilver“Pierced silver case engraved with foliage and trophies of arms and musical instruments.”
Outer CasingShagreen pique“the outermost being also partly covered with shagreen pique.”

Visible details

  • Pierced outer case with elaborate trophy of arms engraving
  • Attached silver chain link at the pendant
  • Gilt brass winding key visible to the upper left
  • Detailed floral motifs bordering the central engraved scene

Research qualifications

  • The source attributes the watch to the 'Turkish market' based on numerals and design, but this is a categorization rather than a provenance of primary retail
  • The exact mechanical condition of the verge repeating movement is not specified

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

Consulted source

Watch, London, 2nd half 18th century

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record fb91434079

Terms in this record

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

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