Early English silver one-handed watch with chain Circa 1640

Small verge pocket watch by Edward East
–
A very rare and early English silver one-handed verge watch with silver chain, circa 1640.
Gilt brass and steel blue verge movement pocket watch. The silver dial features an engraved landscape in the centre, Roman radial hours, a minutes track, half-hour markers, and a single blued steel hand. The watch is housed in a decorative silver case with a cartouche. The back plate of the movement is signed by Edwardus East of Londini.
–
Diameter: 33 mm
–
Signed: Edwardus East Londini
–
Edward East was founded in 1602 by Charles I of England as a clockmaker and watchmaker. He was a notable watchmaker and successor to David Ramsay.
East was apprenticed to Richard Rogers by the Goldsmiths Company in 1618. He was one of the original assistants of the Clockmakers Company. He was named on the charter and held at the same time in its proceedings, and after serving in the subordinate capacities, was elected master in 1645, a position he again occupied in 1652. He was then based in the PallMall in London, near the tennis court. The King noticed when tennis and other games were played in the Mall; His Majesty often provided one of East’s watches as a prize. Afterwards, Edward East moved to Fleet Street, where he lived in 1635was recorded. According to the London Gazette of 22 and 26 January 1690, he was resident “at the Sun, outside Temple Bar” in The Strand.
Edward East presumably died in 1696; Jeremy East was possibly a son of Edward. Jeremie was acquitted by the Clockmakers Company in 1641.