C1774. JOHN KENTISH, JR. SOUTHAMPTON STREET, STRAND, LONDON. 18TH CENTURY PAIR CASE VERGE FUSEE POCKET WATCH

RECENTLY SERVICED IN GOOD STRONG WORKING ORDER

A fine and rare pair case verge fusee doctors watch,movement signed John Kentish Jnr, Southampton Street, Strand, London and serial numbered 1270.  The gilded full plate verge fusee movement has applied engraved foliate decoration surrounding a large finely pierced and engraved matching balance cock set with a large Diamond endstone. It has a Tompion disc regulator and a gilt metal dust cover.

The white enamel dial is signed John Kentish JUNr Southampton Street Strand. The subsidiary dial for the time of day has black Roman hour numerals,an outer minute index track with Arabic numerals at 15 min intervals and gold coloured hands.The time is key set at the centre of the subsidiary dial. The seconds are indicated by the curved centre sweep hand on the outermost track, the seconds track is further divided into fifths of a second.This dial arrangement is sometimes referred to as Doctors dial because it allows the seconds hand to be stopped using the slide on the outside of the inner case (located at the 4 o clock position) for the purpose of taking the patients pulse.

The outer case has a deep red and dark brown mottled finish with silver pin work decoration on a gilt metal base. the inner gilt case is plain polished.The outer case measures 58mm in diameter (2.3inches). The total combined weight including movement is 145grams (approx 5 ozs).

Condition The movement has been serviced and cleaned in November 2017,it is running strongly and keeps to good verge time,(as with most old verges accuracey is improved by consistent room temperature). The stop start function is in working order.The dial is in excellent condition without any chips or hairlines. The inner case has no dents or dings,the thin layer of gilt finish on the inner cover is starting to fade away with age in places. The outer case retains its natural sheen and colours, some of the pique work decoration is missing and it has a couple of minor cracks to the outer translucent covering. Please enlarge and take time to view the pictures which will provide a good indication of the overall cosmetic condition.

A bit more info on the pocket watch and its maker

John Kentish Junior is noted by Baillie,to have been active between 1758-74. During the 1760's he formed a partnership with John Adam Mangaar (1746-1809) and William Allman.The partnership was based at Storey's Gate, Westminster,London but was dissolved in 1772. In 1774 Kentish was recorded to be working at Southampton Street,London when he declared himself bankrupt while continuing to work as a watchmaker until 1798.
Doing some research myself on the internet it states that there are only six pocket watches known to have been made by John Kentish Jnr in his name.This particular watch has the added rarity of having the full makers name and address signed on both the movement and the dial, I have not yet seen another Kentish pocket watch with the street location included on both the dial and the movement, which may possibly make this the only one still in existence to include this detailed information on the watch. 

 Thanks for looking                 jal247

FULL REFUND IF NOT AS DESCRIBED, PLUS THE FULL AFTERCARE SUPPORT OF A DEDICATED POCKET WATCH SELLER.

Additional info above was compiled from info sourced at the following links:

Sotheby's auction 2017      The gazette-London issue

Wiki John Kentish Jr                   AHSOC            Calibrex

Please look out for my other watch items  and add me to your favourites list thanks