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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pair cased verge pocket watch

John Wontner Silver Pair Cased Verge Pocket Watch with Painted Dial

Partially verified

This 18th-century English verge pocket watch features a polished silver pair case measuring 54 mm in diameter and 16 mm in depth. The source reports that the piece is signed by John Wontner of Minories, London, and hallmarked for London, 1779. The dial is decorated with an enamel hunting scene depicting hounds pursuing a stag, framed around a white dial with Roman numerals and dotted minute divisions. Gilt beetle and poker hands display the time. According to the seller, the pendant and bow carry the maker's mark 'TC', while the movement is a full-plate fire-gilt verge caliber with turned pillars and a pierced balance cock.

Dial and front view of the silver pair cased verge pocket watch by John Wontner
Dial and front view of the silver pair cased verge pocket watch by John Wontner — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Pair cased verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
John Wontner
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
1779
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

Dial and Visual Composition

The timepiece presents a central white enamel dial marked with black Roman numerals and an outer perimeter track of minute dots. Time is indicated by gilt beetle and poker hands.

Surrounding the central chapter ring is a polychrome enamel hunting scene. Visual observations show trees, a building sited near water, hounds pursuing a stag, and a mounted huntsman.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel chapter area with black Roman numerals and outer minute dots.”
  • “The gilt beetle and poker hands complete the watch's timeless charm.”
  • “Polychrome enamel perimeter scene showing trees, a building near water, hounds chasing a stag, and a rider on horseback.”

Case Construction and Reported Hallmarks

Direct observation shows a polished silver pair case configured with a rounded bezel, cylindrical neck, and oval bow. The seller documents dimensions of 54 mm in diameter and 16 mm in depth.

The case is reported by the source to be hallmarked for London, 1779. The seller also notes that the maker's mark "TC" is found on the silver pendant and bow, though internal case hallmarks and marks are not visible in the provided exterior photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Polished silver pair case with rounded bezel, cylindrical neck, and oval bow.”
  • “Diameter 54 mm”
  • “Depth 16 mm”
  • “Hallmarked London 1779”
  • “The makers mark "TC" can be found on the silver pendant and bow.”

Reported Movement and Maker Details

The movement is not visible in the available dial photograph. According to the seller's documentation, it is an 18th-century English verge mechanism with a full-plate fire-gilt build, turned pillars, a pierced and engraved balance cock, a silver regulator disc, and a plain three-arm steel balance with a blue steel spiral hairspring.

The movement is reported to be signed "John Wontner – Minories London". The source notes that Wontner was an 18th-century watchmaker who also used the reversed name "Jno Rentnow", though that specific pseudonym is not stated to appear on this watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “This is a magnificent 18th Century English verge pocket watch”
  • “The full plate fire gilt movement is equipped with turned pillars and a pierced and engraved cock.”
  • “The silver regulator disc adds a touch of elegance to the watch.”
  • “The plain three arm steel balance with the blue steel spiral hairspring ensures the watch keeps accurate time.”
  • “Signed John Wontner – Minories London”
  • “He was a well-known maker of the time, who also signed his watches with his name reversed - Jno Rentnow.”

Open research questions

  • Which London silversmith active circa 1779 corresponds to the 'TC' maker's mark recorded on the pendant and bow?
  • Does the movement plate bear a movement serial number alongside the John Wontner signature?
  • Are London hallmarks present and matching on both the inner and outer cases of the pair case assembly?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for John Wontner Silver Pair Cased Verge Pocket Watch with Painted Dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignatureJohn Wontner – Minories London“Signed John Wontner – Minories London”
HallmarkLondon 1779“Hallmarked London 1779”
Diameter54 mm“Diameter 54 mm”
Case Depth16 mm“Depth 16 mm”
Case Maker's MarkTC“The makers mark "TC" can be found on the silver pendant and bow.”
HandsGilt beetle and poker hands“The gilt beetle and poker hands complete the watch's timeless charm.”
Escapement TypeVerge escapement (source-reported)“This is a magnificent 18th Century English verge pocket watch”
Balance AssemblyPlain three-arm steel balance with blue steel spiral hairspring (source-reported)“plain three arm steel balance with the blue steel spiral hairspring”
Regulator DiscSilver (source-reported)“The silver regulator disc adds a touch of elegance to the watch.”

Visible details

  • White enamel chapter area with black Roman numerals and outer minute dots.
  • Polychrome enamel perimeter scene showing trees, a building near water, hounds chasing a stag, and a rider on horseback.
  • Gilt beetle and poker hands.
  • Polished silver pair case with rounded bezel, cylindrical neck, and oval bow.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, signatures, and silver hallmarks are not visible in the provided dial photograph and rely entirely on source documentation.

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

Consulted source

PAINTED DIAL SILVER PAIR CASED VERGE - 1779 » Watch Museum: Discover The World Of Antique & Vintage Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 50dc81aa49

Terms in this record

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

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