Carre

A GEORGE I SILVER PAIR-CASED VERGE POCKET WATCH WITH CHAMPLEVE DIAL CARRE, LONDON, CIRCA 1725 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 brass balance with Tompion type regulation, the backplate with fine symmetrical foliate strapwork scroll pierced and engraved balance cock with scallop shell 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 Carre, London , the silver champleve dial with pair of relief chased curved banners engraved CARRE, LONDON together with lions mask and scallop-shell motifs to the finely matted centre, within Roman numeral chapter ring incorporating relief diamond lozenge half hour markers and cartouche Arabic five minute numerals to outer track, with sculpted blued steel hands, the inner case applied with suspension post and bow at twelve o'clock and the outer case with repousse decoration incorporating a Maltese cross within repeating Baroque strapwork borders inhabited with alternating lovebird and basket of fruit motifs, and with moulded rim to circumference, the cases unmarked. The pillar plate 3.5cm (1.375ins) diameter, the inner case 4.2cm (1.675ins) diameter; the outer case 4.8cm (1.875ins) diameter. No makers with the surname Carre are recorded in the usual sources as working in London during the early 18 th century. From this it is probably appropriate to suggest that the maker of the present watch was most likely a Huguenot immigrant who did not gain freedom of the Clockmakers' Company.