Fine English silver pair-cased verge pocket watch Circa 1712

Silver open faced pocket watch
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A fine and very rare, pair-cased English pocket watch, circa 1712. Gilt full plate movement with divided Egyptian pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain steel balance with flat balance spring, finely engraved single-footed winged cock with angled foot, silver regulation dial. Movement signed. Cases with London hallmarks for 1785. The inner case with master mark NTW, polished, deep back. White enamel dial, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals. Blued steel beetle and poker hands.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Signed: Thomas Tompion & George Graham  London
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In common with a great many of Tompion’s watches, this watch has been re-cased in the later 18th Century in cases specifically made for the purpose. This happened because watches by Tompion were always very highly valued and therefore watch owners chose to update the cases of his watches rather than buy a completely new watch. By the third quarter of the 18th Century, the high baroque style of the beginning of the century was deeply unfashionable as the neoclassical style took hold. By re-casing their watches, owners could have the latest style whilst retaining a highly prized movement by the greatest English maker.
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Thomas Tompion (1639-1713) & George Graham (1673-1751)
Perhaps the two most eminent British makers, they were in partnership for a very short time between about 1711 and 1713, watches signed by both makers are rare.