Fine silver English verge watch by Daniel Quare Circa 1710

Fine silver pair cased verge watch
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A fine silver English pair cased verge watch, circa 1710, gilded full plate movement, verge escapement, large and elaborate pierced and decoratively engraved balance cock symmetrically arranged with a pair of birds and dolphin heads amidst scrolling foliage, a female head at the neck, flat steel three-arm balance with spring, fusee and chain, crested Egyptian pillars, signed D. Quare, London.
Silver champlevé dial, Roman numerals with half hour divisions between and to the ring below, outer Arabic minute ring, outer gilt ring, female square above aperture with calibrated blued steel disc for regulation, winding aperture at 3 o’clock, blued steel tulip hour hand, the poker minute hand stepped to clear winding square, the centre chased and engraved with a lion and unicorn with central cartouche signed Quare.
Plain silver inner case, stirrup pendant and bow, case maker’s mark WI incuse for William Jaques, silver outer case with square hinge, the back centred with a complex engraved monogram, case maker’s mark WG incuse probably for William Ginn.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Signed: D. Quare London
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The deep movement and case of this watch, together with the placement of the winding aperture to the dial rather than case back, are reminiscent of contemporary so-called ‘oignon’ watches which had become a well-established French fashion at this time. As in this instance, Quare often favoured placing a calibrated disc and square for adjusting the regulation to the dial; this feature made it easier for the watch’s owner to regulate the timekeeping, whilst also discouraging them from opening their watch to inspect the movement unnecessarily.