Watch #1 is a very early verge signed E. Stevens, Boston with no serial number. From the engraved ring on the dial plate and the Egyptian pillars, it can be dated to the middle of the 18th century. The silver case is somewhat crudely made and bears no hallmarks. It is possible it was made in America. The dial is a typical English dial from the second half of the 18th century. Watches with engraved dial rings are normally found with champlevé dials. The case maker’s mark is T.S. with a crown. It is possible that the dial is a later replacement and the movement is actually earlier than 1740. It clearly predates the revolutionary war.
This other watch by Joseph Medley is a better example in some respects, but the dial is likely a Dutch replacement and that puts the watch under somewhat of a cloud, so the Stevens was chosen for the Seminar Exhibit.
The case of the Stevens watch is a relatively crudely made silver case without hallmarks and could have been made in the colonies or could be a provincial case that slipped by the duty mark since it was destined for export to the colonies.
Front, Back, Inner front, Inner back, Dial, Movement, Edge view of movement, Second edge view of movement, Inner case mark, Outer case mark, Watch paper
