Jonathan Johnston

A RARE GEORGE II PROVINCIAL SILVER PAIR-CASED VERGE POCKET WATCH WITH CHAMPLEVE DIAL JONATHAN JOHNSTON, BERWICK, 1740 The gilt full plate fusee movement with four square section baluster pillars pinned through the backplate, scroll-pierced stop-iron block and verge escapement regulated by sprung three-arm steel balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with grotesque mask at the junction with the conforming pierced and engraved foot, flanked by silvered regulation disc set within adjacent applied scroll engraved panel infill opposing signature Jn'o , Johnstone, BERWICK , and numbered 147 , the silver champleve dial with a relief chased curved over strait panels engraved JOHNSTONE, BERWICK to the finely matted centre, within Roman numeral chapter ring and cartouche Arabic five minute numerals to outer track, with sculpted blued steel beetle and poker hands, the inner case applied with suspension post and bow at twelve o'clock and the outer case with moulded rim to circumference and engraved with an indistinct monogram within delicate floral trails incorporating date 1788 to rear cover, the inner case marked for London 1740, the outer London 1758 makers I.W. possibly for Thomas Whipham (1746-65). The pillar plate 3.5cm (1.375ins) diameter, the inner case 4.2cm (1.675ins) diameter; the outer case 4.8cm (1.875ins) diameter. Jonathan Johnstone of Berwick does not appear to be recorded in the usual sources.