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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pair cased verge pocket watch

Lowrie & Northey English silver pair cased verge pocket watch

Partially verified

This is an 18th-century English pair cased pocket watch featuring silver cases hallmarked for London in 1799. According to the seller, it is powered by a gilt full plate fusee chain-driven verge movement signed 'Lowrie & Northey, Stoke Newington 3079' with a pierced cock engraved with a grotesque face. The white enamel dial is inscribed 'THO.S STORER' and dated '1799' for the presumed original owner, fitted with gold hands and a mineral bull's eye glass crystal. It is wound from the back and set from the front with a key.

Dial and front view of the assembled silver pair cased verge pocket watch
Dial and front view of the assembled silver pair cased verge pocket watch — Atlam Watches. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.antiquesboutique.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pair cased verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Lowrie & Northey
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4.325 (AB-299991)
Source-reported date
1799
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
3079

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

Identity and Construction

This object is an English silver pair-cased verge pocket watch, with silver cases hallmarked for London 1799. It features a smooth, plain finish on both the inner and outer cases, and retains the original pendant stem and bow.

The watch is key-wound from the back and key-set from the front. The overall assembly measures 51mm in width and 25mm in height, inclusive of the mineral bull's eye glass.

Evidence for this section
  • “This is an English silver pair case verge with hallmarks for London 1799”
  • “The watch measures 51mm wide x 25mm high including the glass”
  • “The watch has a mineral bulls eye glass”
  • “It has a smooth plain finish”
  • “The watch is key wound / key set”

Dial and Mechanism

The movement is a gilt full-plate verge type with a fusee chain. It is signed 'Lowrie & Northey, Stoke Newington 3079' and features a pierced cock decorated with an engraved grotesque face.

The white enamel dial is signed 'Tho’s Storer, London, 1799' and is fitted with a pair of gold hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “The movement is signed “Lowrie & Northey, Stoke Newington 3079””
  • “the gilt full plate verge movement has a pierced cock decorated with an engraved grotesque face.”
  • “The dial is signed “Tho’s Storer, London, 1799””

Condition and Observations

The dial exhibits two hairlines at the 3 o'clock position. The outer case retains its original clasp, though the button dome is worn away.

The seller reports that the watch loses 45 minutes per day. The movement is described as fragile, with the seller noting that the fusee chain is susceptible to damage during handling.

Evidence for this section
  • “two hairlines on the 3”
  • “the button dome has worn away”
  • “The watch has been cleaned and serviced and loses 45 minutes a day.”
  • “These types of movements are extremely fragile and it is very easy to break the fusee chain if you have never handled one of these watches before”

Open research questions

  • Does the serial number 3079 align with known production records for Lowrie & Northey?
  • What is the historical significance of the paper sampler included with the item?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lowrie & Northey English silver pair cased verge pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker SignatureLowrie & Northey, Stoke Newington“The movement is signed “Lowrie & Northey, Stoke Newington 3079””
Movement Serial Number3079“The movement is signed “Lowrie & Northey, Stoke Newington 3079””
Movement TypeGilt full plate verge with fusee chain“This watch has a fusee chain driven movement.”
HallmarksLondon 1799“This is an English silver pair case verge with hallmarks for London 1799”
Dial InscriptionTho's Storer, London, 1799“The dial is signed “Tho’s Storer, London, 1799””
Dimensions51mm wide x 25mm high including glass“The watch measures 51mm wide x 25mm high including the glass”
CrystalMineral bulls eye glass“The watch has a mineral bulls eye glass”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Arabic numeral hour markers and a perimeter dot minute track with star markers at 12, 3, 6, and 9.
  • Dial is inscribed 'THO.S STORER' below 12 and '1799' above 6.
  • Ornate gold-tone hour hand with an arrow-shaped pointer and slender gold-tone minute hand.
  • Smooth polished silver outer case with pendant stem and oval bow at 12 o'clock, with an outer case catch on the bezel rim.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement, inner case hallmarks, and case back are not visible in the photograph.
  • Seller notes the watch loses 45 minutes per day, the outer case button dome has worn away, and the dial has two hairlines at 3 o'clock.

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

Consulted source

English silver pair cased verge, owners dated dial. Lowrie & Northey, Stoke Newington 1799 in Antique Mens Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 3d9b1364e6

Terms in this record

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

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