English open faced lever with stop/start seconds Circa 1885

Gold lever with stop/start seconds by J. Hargreaves & Co
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An English 18 carat gold open faced keyless wind pocket watch with stop/start seconds, Chester Hallmark for 1885. Gilt 3/4 plate English lever movement, cut and compensated bimetallic balance. White enamel dial with black Roman numerals, black outer minute and 0-300 scales, blued steel spade hands and centre seconds. Polished hinged, back engraved with The Seven Ages of Man. Case, dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Signed: Makers To The Queen & H.R.H. The Prince of Wales – J. Hargreaves & Co. Liverpool
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Popularised in Shakespeares As You Like It the Seven Ages of Man depicts mans journey from infancy through to dotage and death. The theme is one that has been in existence since Aristotle with his four ages of man and the world as a stage from the ancient Roman poet Juvenal. However it is the Meloncholy Jacques of Shakespeares making that dominates this narrative.