Double-cased onion watch in silver-plated metal and tortoise - Lot 14

Double-cased onion watch in silver-plated metal and tortoiseshell (pre-Convention). The silver dial features Roman numerals for the hours, with a railway, the center adorned with foliage and a coat of arms inscribed "Tompion London". Below, an opening for the date. The brass cock movement is pierced and engraved with symmetrical foliage, the plate signed "Tompion London". Escapement with verge, fusee and chain with balance wheel and setting disk. The inner case features a rotating disc concealing the key winding hole. The outer case in tortoise shell and inlaid silver fillets, decorated with a bird perched on a basket, a frieze of foliage and branching birds around the rim (minor accidents and visible missing parts). Late 17th century. Diameter: 55 mm. Thomas Tompion (1639-1713) was one of the most famous English watchmakers of his time. He was a member of the Cloakmaker Company in 1671 and became Master in 1704.