Pair-cased watch with astronomical indications by Henry Childe

A silver and leather pair cased verge watch by Henry Childe. The dial has a silver chapter ring displaying the hours, an inner ring for age of the moon, with a gilt centre showing the moon's aspects and an aperture for its phase. All enclosed by an outer calendar ring, with steel pointer. Pinned on balance cock with balance now missing. Worm-and-wheel set-up, fusee line missing. Signed ‘Henricus Childe Fecit’ on the movement. Outer case covered in leather with silver piqué decoration. London c.1650.

Henry Childe died in early 1655, while in office as Master of the Clockmakers Company: perhaps a victim of the Plague.

Clockmakers' Museum No. 1194