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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge hunter pocket watch

Gold verge watch with fusee

Partially verified

According to the Science Museum Group, this mid-18th-century French verge pocket watch with fusee is encased in an engine-turned, enamelled gold hunter case bordered with split pearls. The front hunter lid displays radiating engine turning under translucent dark blue enamel, centring an oval polychrome painted enamel medallion depicting a seated winged cherub. The lid is shown partially open to reveal a white dial marked with Arabic numerals. Resting beside the case is an associated metallic winding key with a circular boss stamped with raised lettering.

Oblique view of the gold verge hunter pocket watch with enamelled pearl-set lid partially opened, shown with a watch key
Oblique view of the gold verge hunter pocket watch with enamelled pearl-set lid partially opened, shown with a watch key — Science Museum Group Collection. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collection.sciencemuseumgroup.org.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Verge hunter pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1992-197
Source-reported date
circa 1750
Country
France

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

Object Identity and Provenance

Catalogued under object number 1992-197 by the Science Museum Group, this timepiece is identified as a verge watch with fusee dated to circa 1750. The piece forms part of Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection and is held on loan from the Wellcome Trust.

The collection record registers the place of origin as France. Individual makers, workshop marks, or internal serial numbers are not documented in the online collection record.

Evidence for this section
  • “Verge watch with fusee, in engine turned enamelled gold hunter case decorated with split pearls. French mid 18th century.”
  • “Collection: Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection”
  • “credit: On loan from the Wellcome Trust”
  • “Object Number: 1992-197”
  • “in France”

Case Construction and Decorative Elements

The museum records the materials as enamelled gold, pearls, and an unidentified metal, describing the housing as an engine-turned enamelled gold hunter case decorated with split pearls.

Direct visual inspection shows that the hunter lid features dark blue translucent guilloché enamel over engine turning, surrounding an oval polychrome miniature of a winged putto or cherub. The outer border of the lid is mounted with a continuous row of split pearls, and a stepped brass or gilt-metal pendant with bow is attached at the top of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Materials: enamelled gold , pearls and metal (unknown)”
  • “engine turned enamelled gold hunter case decorated with split pearls”
  • “Hunter lid features dark blue translucent guilloché enamel over engine turning, surrounding an oval polychrome miniature of a winged putto or cherub.”
  • “Outer border of the hunter lid is set with a continuous row of split pearls.”
  • “A stepped brass or gilt-metal pendant with bow is attached at the top of the case.”

Dial and Associated Elements

With the front hunter cover partially open, a white enamel dial marked with Arabic hour numerals is visible.

A separate metal winding key rests alongside the watch case, displaying a rounded medallion stamped with raised lettering. The inscription on the key is not transcribed in the museum record.

Evidence for this section
  • “Partially open front lid reveals a white enamel dial with Arabic hour numerals.”
  • “A separate metal winding key with a rounded medallion stamped with raised lettering lies adjacent to the watch.”

Open research questions

  • What maker's signatures, movement numbers, or Parisian/provincial assay marks are present on the movement plates or inside the hunter case covers?
  • What specific text or trademark is embossed on the boss of the separate winding key, and is it original or later associated with the watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold verge watch with fusee
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Datecirca 1750“Made: circa 1750”
Place of OriginFrance“in France”
Object Number1992-197“Object Number: 1992-197”
Case DescriptionEngine turned enamelled gold hunter case decorated with split pearls“engine turned enamelled gold hunter case decorated with split pearls”
MaterialsEnamelled gold, pearls and metal (unknown)“Materials: enamelled gold , pearls and metal (unknown)”
Museum CollectionSir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection“Collection: Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection”
Credit LineOn loan from the Wellcome Trust“credit: On loan from the Wellcome Trust”
Display LocationScience Museum: Making the Modern World Gallery“On display Science Museum: Making the Modern World Gallery”
CategoryTime Measurement“Category: Time Measurement”

Visible details

  • Hunter lid features dark blue translucent guilloché enamel over engine turning, surrounding an oval polychrome miniature of a winged putto or cherub.
  • Outer border of the hunter lid is set with a continuous row of split pearls.
  • Partially open front lid reveals a white enamel dial with Arabic hour numerals.
  • A stepped brass or gilt-metal pendant with bow is attached at the top of the case.
  • A separate metal winding key with a rounded medallion stamped with raised lettering lies adjacent to the watch.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement and fusee escapement are closed and cannot be confirmed visually.
  • The maker is not recorded in the museum documentation.

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

Consulted source

Gold verge watch with fusee | Science Museum Group Collection

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record e7bef0e728

Terms in this record

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

Other verge hunter pocket watch records