Rare English gilt clock watch with protective case Circa 1670

Large silver gilt clockwatch with an associated protective outer case
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An English rare and large silver gilt clock watch with an associated outer protective case, circa 1670, gilded full plate movement, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and floral engraved screwed on balance cock, flat balance, worm and wheel set up, silver locking plate, and blued steel stop work visible to the backplate, fusee and chain, tulip pillars, striking on a bell to the inside case back, signed Edwardus East, Londini.
Silver gilt champlevé dial with a chased rosette to the center against a stippled ground, Roman numerals, inner ring with quarter hour divisions and blued steel tulip form hand.
Silver gilt inner case, the back with symmetrically arranged chased and engraved flowers and foliage beneath a crown, the pierced band engraved with similarly styled flowers and foliage and dogs’ heads either side of the later pendant and bow, later leather outer case with decorative pin work.
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Diameter: 63 mm
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Signed: Edwardus East Londini
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Without question one of the most important of early English watchmakers, Edward East was born in Southill, Bedfordshire in 1602. At the time there was no Clockmakers’ Company and so, in 1618, the young East was apprenticed to Richard Roger of the Goldsmiths’ Company, becoming a Freeman in 1627. In 1631 the Clockmakers’ Company was formed by Royal Charter and Edward East became one of the Company’s first assistants a year later, in 1632. East was made Warden of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1638 and Master in both 1645 and 1653. In 1660 he was appointed chief clockmaker to King Charles II. In October 1692, East gave £100 to the Clockmakers’ Company with the interest to be used to support poor members. The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain, 1981, p. 206. Edward East lived through almost the entire 17th century and died in 1697, leaving an extraordinary legacy of exceptional watches and clocks.