English 18K gold open faced lever pocket watch Circa 1897

Gold precision watch by Edward F. Ashley
–
An English 18 carat gold open faced precision pocket watch, circa 1897. ¾ Plate movement, a lever escapement, gold screw compensation balance and freely oscillating blued balance spring. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, sunk center, subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and spade hands. A plain case, monogrammed on the back, maker’s mark JA for James Ayres in Clerkenwell. Dial signed, case numbered, movement signed and numbered.
–
Diameter: 50 mm
–
Weight: 112 g
–
Signed: Edwd. F. Ashley 2 Green Terrace Clerkenwell
–
Edward F. Ashley was born in 1835. Between 1878 and 1913 he worked as a watchmaker in Clerkenwell, London. Both his grandfather and father were watchmakers too.