English verge pocket watch with early centre seconds Circa 1751

Gold pair cased verge pocket watch by John Pyke
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A fine, English pair cased verge pocket watch with early centre seconds, circa 1751.
Two cases: outer case – 18 carat gold, polished, à goutte, with engraved monogram, case maker’s punch mark “HT” (Henry Cleaver Taylor) and large lateral hinge; inner case – 18-carat gold, polished, with signed and numbered movement protection cap, case maker’s punch mark “HT” (Henry Cleaver Taylor) and seconds stop lever.
Enamel dial with radial Roman hours, centre seconds and blued steel “Poker & Beetle” hands. Fire gilt, signed full plate movement with applied florally engraved ornaments, chain/fusee, square baluster pillars, three-arm brass balance, fine engraved, pierced balance cock with mascaron and chatoned diamond endstone on balance.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 130 g
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Signed: John Pyke, London, Watchmaker to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales
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Between 1747 and 1780 John Pyke is listed as working at Grays Inn, London; Pyke was a clock and watchmaker to the Prince of Wales, the future King George III.