Early English silver and gilt oval verge watch Circa 1625

Gilded metal and silver oval pocket watch
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An early, fine English silver and gilt oval pocket watch made by Cornelius Mellin in Blackfriars, London, circa 1625. Gilt brass full plate oval movement with a verge escapement, short train, flat steel balance pinned on a floral engraved balance cock, wheel and click set up with a gilded floral engraved bridge matching the cock, and a fusee and gut line. Gilt metal dial, the center engraved with Cupid touching a figure, possibly Narcissus with his arrow, the border with engraved floral decoration, an elderly, nude male above 12 o’clock suggesting the personification of time, an applied silver chapter ring with black Roman numerals and a single blued steel hand. Plain silver covers, the back with a winding shutter, the silver band engraved with scrolling foliage and a putto to each side reaching for fruit within gilt metal engraved borders and a tulip form pendant.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Signed: Cornelius Mellin aux Blackfriars
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Dating to circa 1625, this watch displays the continuing popularity of the oval shape at the time. Although watches were becoming smaller and slightly slimmer, the pendants remained substantial, but, in general, the terminals became shorter. The incorporation of narrow silver chapter rings on the face remained fashionable. Unusually, the cover of this watch closes on a bevel rather than having the more common tongue and clasp type fixture.
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Cornelius Mellin (also Dewmellin) (1568-1622) worked in Blackfriars, London. Mellin was originally from France. He was a master with four apprentices and six journeymen.