Beschreibung:

A GEORGE III SILVER PAIR-CASED VERGE QUARTER-REPEATING POCKET WATCH WITH SWEEP CALENDAR EARDLEY NORTON, LONDON, LATE 18th CENTURY The gilt full plate single fusee movement with four cylindrical pillars pinned through the backplate, stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by brass three-arm balance with Tompion type regulation, the quarter repeat-work operated by a plunger to the suspension post sounding the hours via a pivoted hammer striking on a bell set which the rear of the inner case, followed by two rapid blows for each quarter via a second hammer sounding on the same bell, the backplate with fine symmetric foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with wedge-shaped matted-ground relief engraved foot, flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent conforming applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Eardley Norton, London and serial number 28847, the slightly convex circular white enamel Roman numeral dial signed EARDLEY NORTON, LONDON to centre within concentric inner date-of-the-month track and with Arabic five minutes to outer track, with gold spade hour and minute hands a wavy calendar indication hand, the inner case with continuous engraved and pierced geometric bordered leafy band to circumference and plunging suspension post fitted with a bow at twelve o'clock, the outer case with finely moulded rim and bezel surround, (both cases unmarked, the inner with conforming serial number 28847). The pillar plate 3.8cm (1.5ins) diameter; the inner case 5cm (2ins) diameter; the outer case 6cm (2.375ins) diameter. Eardley Norton was thought to have been born into a farming family from Rigsby, Lincolnshire, however he was apprenticed as a clockmaker 25 May 1743 to Robert Dawson of Alford. Latterly he moved to London where he is listed as working at 49 St. John's Street, Clerkenwell between 1760 and 1794. He was member of the Clockmakers' Company being freed in 1770 and remained a member until his death in 1792. He applied for a patent for a new type of striking mechanism for both clocks and watches on 31 August 1771. Norton enjoyed Royal patronage being perhaps best known for his silver mounted four-dial astronomical clock (made in collaboration with James Ferguson F.R.S.) commissioned by George III for Buckingham House (later Palace) which still remains in the Royal Collection (RCIN 30432). He married Mary Swinnerton of Oswestry and later retired to Stonegrove House (no longer existing), Little Stanmore, Middlesex, in the parish of Whitchurch. On his death, his business was taken over by the partnership of Gravell and Tolkien. He is buried at St. Lawrence's church in Little Stanmore. Condition Report: Movement appears complete and essentially in sound original just about working order, however the escapement beats erratically and a little fast suggesting that the balance spring is either detached or missing. The repeat work will operate but is lazy in its action and struggles to complete the cycle and the hands are currently out-of-sync. The mechanism is a little dirty/dry indicating that a gentle clean/service is required however the original gilding is sound with minimal wear or scuffs/scratches. The dial is loose and has a tiny edges chip above the XI and near the IIII numerals otherwise visible faults are very much limited to slight surface scratching; hands are in good original condition. The inner case has some noticeable wear/rubbing/indenting around the waist (where it has rubbed against the inner collar of the outer case). The centre of the rear has had replacement threaded insert for mounting the bell fitted at some point. There is also a small hole (possibly for a thumb piece?) to the waist at 6 o'clock and a small notch within the bezel at 8 o'clock which appears original/intentional but purpose is unknown. The outer case has some slight denting and overall light wear otherwise is in good original condition. There is no winding key included. Condition Report Disclaimer