English leather-covered silver calendar watch Circa 1650

Early rare verge calendar watch by Thomas Alcock
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An English leather-covered silver pair cased calendar watch with silver piqué work, circa 1650.
This exquisite timepiece is a true masterpiece of horology. The gilded, steel, partly blued, and silver full plate movement features a verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved pinned on balance cock, flat balance, worm and wheel set-up, fusee and gut line, and Egyptian pillars. The watch case is also noteworthy. The inner case is made of plain polished silver. The outer case is covered with leather and decorated with silver piqué work.

The watch’s dial is impressive, with its concentric silver chapter rings that display various types of information. The outermost ring shows the time of tides, presumably at London Bridge, which was an important reference point for navigation and commerce. The inner ring indicates mean solar time, which is based on the average length of a day throughout the year rather than on the irregularities caused by the Earth’s rotation and orbit. The two rings are connected by radial lines that mark the hours and minutes. The next ring shows the moon’s age in its monthly cycle, which was relevant for farmers, fishermen, and sailors who depended on lunar phases for their activities. The age is expressed in days and fractions, such as 1.291.2, which means one day, 29 hours, and 12 minutes since the last new moon. The last ring displays the day of the month, from 1 to 31. The hand of the watch is made of blued steel and has decorative tips that resemble fleur-de-lis.
The most unusual feature of the dial is the circular aperture in the centre disk, which reveals the moon’s phases as seen from Earth. The disk rotates once every 29.5 days, corresponding to the lunar cycle, and shows a series of images that depict the moon’s appearance at different stages, from new to full and back to new. The images are finely engraved on a silver plate.
The signature of Thomas Alcock on the movement indicates that he was the maker of this exceptional watch.
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Diameter: 44 mm
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Signed: Tho Alcock, Londini
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The February 1661 issue of Kingdoms Intelligencer, a newspaper published by the English parliament in opposition to the king, reported the loss of a comparable watch by Alcock.
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Thomas Alcock: A London Watchmaker
Thomas Alcock was a renowned watchmaker who lived and worked in London during the 17th century. He was born in an era when timekeeping was a luxury, and watches were a symbol of wealth and status. However, Alcock’s passion for horology led him to become one of the most skilled watchmakers of his time.
Alcock’s career began in 1630 when he started working as a watchmaker. Two years later, he joined the Clockmakers’ Company, which was established to regulate the clock and watchmaking industry in London. Alcock’s expertise in watchmaking quickly earned him a reputation, and he became a warden of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1645.
Alcock’s contribution to the Clockmakers’ Company was significant. He was a petitioner for the incorporation of the company, which led to the establishment of a formal guild for clock and watchmakers in London. This guild helped regulate the industry, ensuring that only skilled craftsmen could practice watchmaking.
Despite his success, Alcock’s life was short-lived. He died in 1655, leaving behind a legacy that would inspire future generations of watchmakers. His expertise in horology was well-known, and his work was highly sought after by the wealthy elite of London.
Today, Alcock’s watches are considered rare and valuable collector’s items. They are a testament to his skill as a watchmaker and his contribution to the development of the clock and watchmaking industry in London. Alcock’s legacy lives on, and his name remains synonymous with excellence in horology.