English 18 carat gold and tortoiseshell pair cased watch Circa 1691

Gold and underpainted horn verge watch
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An English 18 carat gold and tortoiseshell pair cased pocket watch made by Stephen Willmott in London, circa 1691. The gilded full plate movement with a verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock, fusee and chain, four fine tulip pillars as used by Thomas Tompion at the time, blued steel screws and a small silver regulator disk. The balance has a reeded steel wheel, as also found on Tompion watches, and the cock has a small foot with an irregular, unframed edge, typical of London watches of the late 17th century.
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Later, mid to late 18th century, white enamel dial with Roman hours, outer minute divisions, outermost Arabic five minute numerals and gilt fancy hands. A later, mid 18th century, tortoiseshell covered outer case with the central, oval painted depiction of a lady in profile wearing an 18th century dress, leaning against an anchor surrounded by decorative pine branches, this image represents The Sailor’s Farewell, both bezel and back are further decorated with underpainted seaweed. The original plain inner case with a gilt brass bow and worn London hallmarks for 1691, still visible are the upper part of a lion passant and the maker’s mark JW.
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Movement signed.
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Diameter: 50.75 mm
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Signed: SP Willmott London
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The bow and pendant are gilt brass replacements from the mid 18th century.
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Stephen Willmott was apprenticed to Edward Stanton in 1667 and free of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1674. He died around 1721.
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The maker of the inner case probably was John Willoughby of Elliotts Court, Old Bailey, London.