William Webster Pocket Watch With Complications, 1700, London

A double-case silver pocket watch by the London watchmaker William Webster, circa 1700, London. The double-case silver watch has fairly plain inner and outer cases, both marked "HR" (for Richard Hutchison), the same case maker as the John May watch dated around 1700. It has a champlevé silver dial, blued steel scarab and poker hands, and is signed "Webster" in a raised arc above the center and "London" in a raised arc below. The movement has a verge escapement, a fusee and chain drive, Egyptian pillars, and an ornate fusee stop. The winged rooster is beautifully openworked with a shell-shaped center and a lady's bust facing downwards. Signed on the backplate "Wm Webster, Exchange Alley, 657." Reference: Britten indicates that Webster was appointed a Fellow of the Company of Clockmakers in 1710, a Warden in 1734, and died in office in 1735. He was working at the Dial and Three Crowns, Exchange Alley, when Tompion died on November 20, 1713. An announcement appeared shortly afterward, stating: "worked as a journeyman for a considerable time with the said Mr. Tompion and, through his industry and care, is thoroughly acquainted with his secrets in the said art."