Rare English half hunter pair cased verge watch Circa 1840

Rare silver half hunter pair cased verge pocket watch
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A rare English verge, the half hunter dial bearing the original owner’s name, in silver pair cases, hallmarked Birmingham circa 1840. Full plate fusee movement with plain gilt dust cover. Pierced and engraved round cock, steel regulator on top plate below the plain three-arm steel balance. Rare half hunter-style white enamel dial with a small central chapter of Roman numerals. The outer hour markings replaced by the original owner’s name, ‘George Mathews’ which are only revealed when the front cover is opened. Gold half hunter hands. Matching silver pair cases, the inner with a broad border to the front bezel, small glazed aperture at the center. Silver oval pendant and bow. Maker’s mark ‘JH’ in an oval.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Depth: 15 mm
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Signed: Geo.e Whiston Stafford
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Few English half hunter pair cased watches were made. This is the first we have seen where the outer numerals have been replaced by the owner’s name.