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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge pair case pocket watch

Markwick Markham silver pair case verge pocket watch with Ottoman dial

Partially verified

This early English verge pocket watch was signed by Markwick Markham, London, and produced for the Ottoman market. According to the seller, the watch features silver pair cases hallmarked for London in 1731 with maker's mark 'WN', with the inner case sharing serial number 7835 with the movement. The gilt verge movement contains an engraved and pierced winged balance cock with a wide D-shaped foot, four crested tulip pillars, and a silver regulator disc. The silver champlevé dial displays Turkish numerals, central cartouches bearing the maker's signature and location, and steel beetle and poker hands.

Dial and front view of silver pair case verge pocket watch showing Turkish numerals and beetle and poker hands
Dial and front view of silver pair case verge pocket watch showing Turkish numerals and beetle and poker hands — Cogs And Pieces / Antiques Atlas. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
antiques-atlas.com
Category
Pocket watch · Verge pair case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Markwick Markham
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
as561a213 / 1391
Source-reported date
1731
Country
United Kingdom
Source-reported serial
7835

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 Construction and Hallmarking

The watch is contained within silver pair cases. The inner case is reported to feature London hallmarks for 1731 and a maker's mark 'WN'.

Physical descriptions include a rounded pendant and flat stirrup bow. Reported conditions include a dent near the winding aperture, compression, and a dent to the band on the inner case, with light bruising and minor damage to the inner bezel rim on the outer case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silver , with rubbed London hallmarks for 1731, maker ‘sWN, and serial number as the movement.”
  • “Silver pair case front view with a rounded pendant and flat stirrup bow.”
  • “In good condition, with a dent near the winding aperture and a little compression and one dent to the band.”
  • “In quite good condition, with a little damage to the inner rim of the bezel and a few light bruises to the back.”

Movement Architecture

The gilt verge movement is signed 'Markwick Markham, London' and carries the serial number 7835. It utilizes four crested tulip pillars and a silver regulator disc.

The balance cock is engraved and pierced with a winged design and a wide, D-shaped foot. The source notes two empty holes on the top plate at the 4 and 10 positions, interpreted by the seller as original locations for dustcap attachment posts.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt verge movement, the engraved and pierced winged balance cock with wide ‘D’ shaped pierced foot.”
  • “Four crested tulip pillars and silver regulator disk. Signed “Markwick Markham, London” and numbered “7835”.”
  • “There are 2 unused holes on the top plate at 4 and 10, which probably originally held steel posts used to attach a removable dustcap (now missing).”

Dial and Hands

The champlevé silver dial displays Turkish numerals. The central disc is signed 'Markwick Markham, London'.

The watch is fitted with steel beetle and poker hands and a bull's eye crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silver champleve dial, with Turkish numerals, in very good condition. Signed as the movement on the central disc.”
  • “Good early 18th century steel beetle and poker hands.”
  • “The hinge and the high dome bull’s eye crystal are fine and the bezel closes correctly.”

Open research questions

  • Does the 'WN' maker's mark identify a specific silversmith associated with London watch case production in 1731?
  • Are there records of Markwick Markham production serial numbers that correlate with the 1731 date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Markwick Markham silver pair case verge pocket watch with Ottoman dial
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement signatureMarkwick Markham, London“Signed “Markwick Markham, London” and numbered “7835”.”
Dial typeSilver champlevé dial with Turkish numerals“Silver champleve dial, with Turkish numerals, in very good condition.”
Hallmark year1731“Silver , with rubbed London hallmarks for 1731, maker ‘sWN, and serial number as the movement.”
HandsSteel beetle and poker hands“Good early 18th century steel beetle and poker hands.”
Pillars and regulatorCrested tulip pillars and silver regulator disk“Four crested tulip pillars and silver regulator disk.”
Movement serial number7835“numbered “7835”.”
Reported Maker's MarkWN“maker ‘sWN”
Hallmark Year1731“London hallmarks for 1731”

Visible details

  • Silver pair case front view with a rounded pendant and flat stirrup bow.
  • Champlevé silver dial displaying Ottoman/Turkish numeral hour and outer chapter rings.
  • Central engraved cartouches signed 'MARKWICK MARKHAM' above and 'LONDON' below.
  • Early 18th-century style blued or dark steel beetle and poker hands beneath a high-domed bull's eye crystal.

Research qualifications

  • Dealer notes that the movement is missing its original removable dustcap, evidenced by two empty holes on the top plate.
  • Inner case and movement details are source-reported and not visible in the front-facing photograph.

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

Consulted source

Antiques Atlas - Silver Pocket Watch - Ottoman Dial, London, 1731 as561a213 / 1391

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record bdbdbca42d

Terms in this record

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

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