Fine early silver English single cased verge watch Circa 1710

Fine silver single cased verge watch
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A fine silver English single cased verge watch, circa 1710, gilded full plate movement, verge escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with foliage inhabited by birds and dolphins, flat three-arm balance with spring, fusee and chain, Egyptian pillars, signed J Brockhurst, London.
Silver champlevé dial, Roman numerals with half-hour divisions between and to the ring beneath, outer Arabic minute ring, outer gilded ring, beetle and poker hands, the center with gilded chased and engraved decoration of a lion and a unicorn, with two apertures surrounded by floral swags and signed on a blued steel plate Brockhurst, London.
Plain polished single silver case, the back with shuttered winding aperture, stirrup bow and pendant.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Signed: J Brockhurst London
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A popular motif for some years following the 1707 Act of Union, the Royal Arms can often be found engraved to balance cocks or, as in this instance, applied directly to the center of the dial. Incorporating this Royal reference may well represent a sense of national pride, celebrating the Union and new hope and optimism for the coming century after the considerable social and political upheavals of the 17^th century.

A John Brockhurst of London was apprenticed in 1699.