Bonhams 1793 : Thomas Mudge. An interesting 18th century gold open face pocket watch London Hallmark for 1737

London Hallmark for 1737
Finely engraved gilt full plate fusee verge movement with pierced and engraved balance cock with diamond end stone and 3-arm balance, silvered regulation, round pillars, signed on the band under the dial 'T. Mudge,' later white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and outer Arabic and five minute divisions, steel beetle and poker hands, polished round case hinged to the front
47mm.

Estimate:

£1,000 - 1,500
€1,200 - 1,800
HK$ 12,000 - 18,000

Footnotes

Thomas Mudge (1715-1794) was apprenticed to and worked for George Graham. He started in business in Fleet St. after Graham's death in 1751. He invented the lever escapement about 1757, and was the first to use stones for pallets and impulse pins.

From 1771 he worked on the development of the chronometer; sent his first for trial in 1774 and was eventually was awarded £3,000 by a committee of the House of Commons. He entered into partnership with William Dutton in 1755, and moved to Plymouth in 1771.