Need some help identifying this watch.. It was made by Grimaldi and is marked London.. Ser number is 1301. Hallmarks are lion, small case n and lion head. I am trying to figure out who this guy was.. Hallmarks lead me to believe it was made around 1830.. It is about a 12 size.. Best part about this little wonder... It keeps pretty good time.. about 2 minutes in 24 hours.. any help on some history is greatly appreciated..
Sorry about the bad pics.. gotta get a light defuser and better camera.
Posts: 888 | Location: San Diego, California USA | Registered: December 27, 2002
A total of 3 Grimalde's listed in my book. All from the early 1800's. The listing has an e at the end of there name, are you sure about the I. I can not read your hallmarks very well so dating is not possible. This appears to be a very interesting watch to me. One of the Grimalde's made high grade items. This shape of balance cock is not seen much. The end stone is also somewhat harder to find in early 1800's watches. Winding thru the dial is usually continential. Are you sure it is a Verge escapment...
Regards, John Pavlik
Posts: 638 | Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin USA | Registered: November 22, 2002
Great pictures this time around... Case date is 1828. Case maker I M H initials for John Martin Harding, active from 1824 until at least 1838. English subtitute I and J at will.... yes it is a verge, still some unusual items on this one. Is the top of the blance wheel rounded or flat? appears rounded to me.. Regulator scale markings are different... also the spring that holds the movement to the case looks a lot earlier. It appears to me the maker was trying to make his verge watch look moderen, single case, "moderen"style balance cock. Single case levers were all the rage by 1828. Running that well means its a keeper to me ....
Regards, John Pavlik
Posts: 638 | Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin USA | Registered: November 22, 2002