English fine silver pair-cased verge pocket watch Circa 1725

Silver open faced verge pocket watch by Francis Robinson
–
An English fine silver pair cased verge pocket watch, circa 1725.
Two cases: outer case – silver, polished, case maker’s punch mark SI, large lateral hinge; inner case – silver, polished, case maker’s punch mark SI. Signed silver, champlevé dial with inlaid radial Roman hours, chased centre with flower decor and a head, and Poker & Beetle hands. Full plate movement, keywind, fire gilt, applied engraved and open-work ornaments, signed, glass between movement plates decorated with applied engraved arched pilasters, chain/fusee, steel balance, fine florally engraved and open-work glazed balance cock showing an eagle, and a vase and a face.
–
Diameter: 56 mm
–
Weight: 141 g
–
Signed: Francis Robinson, Inner Temple Lane, London
–
Francis Robinson
Clockmaker Francis Robinson worked at Inner Temple Lane, a small street in the Temple. He began his apprenticeship with Henry Jones in October 1685; Jones was an excellent clockmaker who had his workshop in Fleet Street between Falcon’s Court and Hercules Pillars at the time. While still an apprentice officially, Robinson was a de facto lead worker in Jones’ workshop by the early 1690s and remained there after his master died in 1695 under the direction of Jones’ widow Hannah. He was freed from the Clockmakers’ Company on April 7, 1707, after 22 years as an apprentice. He became the Company’s master in 1725. Robinson was a clockmaker to the Prince of Wales and worked until 1747.