£4,950.00
The Kemp and Holman of Lewes verge pocket watch is a representative example of early Victorian horology, rooted in England’s regional watchmaking tradition. This timepiece likely dates to the early 19th century, a period when verge escapements—though technologically surpassed by the lever—remained in common use, particularly in provincial watchmaking. Encased typically in silver with a pair-case or consular form, the watch features a hand-engraved balance cock, Roman numeral dial, and a single hand or early pair of hands, all consistent with the stylistic and technical norms of the era.
Kemp and Holman were retailers or possibly assemblers based in Lewes, Sussex—a town with a modest but documented tradition of clock and watch trading during the 18th and 19th centuries. Like many English watches of this period, the movement was likely made in London or Liverpool and signed by the local seller. Verge escapements, which date back to the 17th century, were prized more for their robustness than precision by the time of this watch’s manufacture. The movement would have been hand-finished, with details like fusee cone gearing for consistent power delivery, and might include a decorative dust cover and tulip pillars—hallmarks of English craft.
Today, the Kemp and Holman verge pocket watch holds value as a piece of local horological history, connecting regional commerce in Lewes to the broader British watch trade. While verge escapement watches are no longer practical for daily use due to their fragility and inaccuracy by modern standards, they are appreciated for their mechanical charm and historical context. For collectors, such pieces offer insight into pre-industrial watchmaking and the distribution networks that sustained it outside major metropolitan centers.
| Case Size | 55mm |
|---|---|
| Complications | Stopwatch, Regulator |
| Movement | Balance driven Verge and Fusee Mechanical Movement |
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