English gold polychrome enamel pocket watch Circa 1700

Gold open faced verge pocket watch 
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A fine English 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch with polychrome enamel scene made by John May in London, circa 1700. This watch has a mechanical key winding movement with a balance cock, verge escapement, and elegant baluster pillars. It includes a fire gilt plate signed John May London and numbered. The enamel dial features black Roman numerals for the hours, an outer arcaded minute track with Arabic numerals for the 5 to 60 minute markers, and blued steel fleur de lys hands. The timepiece is housed in a round 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case with a polished winding stem, a sturdy round suspension bow, and a reverse back cover decorated with a finely painted polychrome enamel scene depicting the Virgin Mary nursing the Christ Child, all enclosed within a decorative border.
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Diameter: 59 mm
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Signed: John May London
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John May was an eminent early 18th century clockmaker and watchmaker who operated a prominent workshop in London. Born in the Netherlands, he was the son of the celebrated Amsterdam clockmaker Benjamin May. John May moved to England and was admitted as a Free Brother of the prestigious Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in London in 1692. He worked continuously there until his death in 1738. He established a significant reputation as a trendsetter by producing exceptionally high quality Dutch-style timepieces and longcase clocks signed from London, catering heavily to the lucrative Dutch export market. Today, his exquisite pocket watches featuring fire-gilt verge movements, beautifully pierced pillars, and fine polychrome enamel artwork are highly sought after by collectors and preserved in world-class institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.