Sampson Shelton

• gilt oval movement, verge escapement, pierced and florally engraved balance cock, plain flat steel balance, worm and wheel set-up, Egyptian pillars, gut line fusee • silver dial, chapter ring with Roman numerals, inner quarter hour divisions, large flower to the centre, further flower surrounding the catch • plain silver inner case, the cover with crystal aperture fixed with screwed brass ring, shuttered winding aperture to case back, ring pendant and bow • outer case with fish skin covering and decorated with silver piqué work • movement signed Sam Shelton Fecit

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, pp. 68-69, pl. 28

This charming small watch was most likely made in the early 1640s, before the disruptions caused by the Civil War in 1642 and the outbreak of the plague in 1646. It would seem that the silver case was originally gilded and traces of gilding can still be found.

Sampson Shelton was Free of the Blacksmiths’ Company in 1621 and was later involved in the formation of the Clockmakers' Company. He served as treasurer of the successful petition for their charter, and subsequently became one of the first three Wardens in 1631, and the Company's second Master in 1634. He was Master again in 1638 and died in 1648, leaving £50 to the Clockmakers’ Company, the interest thereon to be used to benefit poor members.