English large Ottoman quadruple case verge watch Circa 1840

Museum condition pocket watch with tortoiseshell
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A large Ottoman quadruple case verge watch in museum condition, made by George Prior in London, England, circa 1840. The first of the four cases is the original protective case in shell form, leather and velvet, the second case is crafted from silver and has a tortoiseshell and the third and fourth case are crafted from silver. The white enamel dial has black Ottoman numerals and black iron hands. The numbered movement has a typical verge escapement for the Ottoman market with fancy pillars and magnificent decoration.
Dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 74 mm
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Weight: 179 g
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Signed: Georges Prior, London
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Especially worth mentioning for this watch is the fantastically preserved original protective case, which is almost always missing.
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George Prior
George Prior was a renowned watchmaker from London who lived during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. He is known for his high-quality pocket watches, which were highly sought after by the wealthy elite of his time. George Prior was a highly skilled and accomplished watchmaker who made significant contributions to the field of horology. Some of his most notable achievements include:

• Inventing the detached lever escapement, which greatly improved the accuracy and reliability of pocket watches.
• Developing a new type of balance wheel, which was more efficient and reliable than previous designs.
• Creating a range of high-quality watches that were popular with wealthy clients, including members of the royal family.
• Established a successful watchmaking business in London, which became renowned for its quality and craftsmanship.

One of his most significant contributions to the industry was the development of the cylinder escapement, which was a major improvement over the earlier verge escapement. The cylinder escapement was more accurate and reliable than the verge escapement and it quickly became the standard in watchmaking. Prior was also known for his work on chronometers, which were used for navigation at sea. He worked closely with the Royal Observatory in Greenwich to develop accurate timepieces that could be used to determine longitude at sea. George Prior’s contributions to watchmaking in London were significant and helped to establish the city as a center of innovation and excellence in the field. His legacy continues to be felt in the industry today and he is remembered as one of the most important watchmakers of his time.
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Edward Prior
Edward Prior was a London watchmaker of high repute, specializing in watches for Turkey and the Ottoman Empire. He worked between 1800 and 1868. His father was the English watchmaker John Prior (or Josephus Pryor) who was based in Nessfield. Edward ran a watch workshop in London with his brother George. The company and watch brand continued after Prior’s death in 1868.