English gilt metal verge with subsidiary seconds Circa 1770

Early subsidiary seconds English verge pocket watch
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An English verge with subsidiary seconds in gilt metal pair cases, circa 1770. Full plate fire gilt movement with turned pillars. Pierced and engraved cock, silver regulator disc. Fusee and chain with worm and wheel barrel setup between the plates. Plain three-arm steel balance, blue steel spiral hairspring. Lateral steel stop lever acting on the contrate wheel. White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds and Arabic numerals, blue steel hands. Gilt metal pair cases, gilt pendant and bow, the inner bearing marks intended to resemble hallmarks.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Depth: 14 mm
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Signed: Robt Green Liverpool
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An early example of a verge with subsidiary seconds. Although some makers introduced watches with seconds shortly after the balance spring was introduced the practice was largely abandoned as the verge escapement was not accurate enough. The seconds subsidiary on this watch is not exactly at 6 o’clock, its position dictated by the contrate wheel pinion.