Fine English silver and tortoiseshell verge watch Circa 1685

Silver and tortoiseshell pair cased verge watch
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A fine English silver and tortoiseshell pair cased verge watch, circa 1685, gilded full plate movement, verge escapement, pierced and engraved balance cock decorated with a bird and symmetrical foliage, balance with spring, silver regulator plate, fusee and chain, tulip pillars, signed John Wills, London.
Silver champlevé dial, Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute ring, inner half hour divisions, blued steel tulip and poker hands, cartouches to the centre signed Wills, London.
Plain polished silver inner case with winding aperture, split bezel for glass retention, indistinct maker’s mark, tortoiseshell outer case with applied pierced and engraved silver decoration depicting an allegorical figure amongst scrolling foliage inhabited by birds, a winged putto below, silver pin work to the bezels
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: John Wills London
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Generally speaking, dials were beginning to be signed during the period 1685-1690 and the dial on the present watch has especially well executed signature cartouches to its centre. The movement has an early application of the balance spring and a large silver regulator plate. The tortoiseshell outer case depicts a young woman to the centre holding a small dog, which may suggest faithfulness and thus fidelity, the eagles to either side are perhaps guarding her.