Very fine small gilt metal and rock crystal verge Circa 1640

Very fine small gilt metal and scallop shaped rock crystal verge
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An English gilt metal verge pocket watch with full plate fire gilt movement, circa 1640, pierced and engraved pinned on balance cock, plain steel balance, gut line fusee, ratchet and click set up, turned baluster pillars, engraved gilt dial, townscape to the centre with river and gnarled tree in the foreground, the outer band with floral decoration, a putto’s head above twelve, applied silver chapter ring with Roman numerals and quarter-hour markings, blued steel hand, faceted rock crystal case, bezel and case body with simple palm leaf engraving.
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Diameter: 42 mm including pendant
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Width: 26 mm
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Signed: Edward East Londini
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This is a remarkably small watch of very fine quality. Notably its miniaturization has not led to any loss of quality to the finishing of its parts, or impacted its overall design. The handsome radiating facets of the rock crystal covers suggest flower heads.

Without question one of the most important of early English watchmakers, Edward East was born in Southill, Bedfordshire in 1602. In 1632, he was made one of the first assistants of the Clockmakers’ Company, was Warden in 1638 and Master in 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. Edward East lived through almost the entire 17th century and died in 1697 leaving an extraordinary legacy of exceptional watches and clocks.