The family collection began with a simple time piece, a pocket watch, that had traveled with the patriarch of the family across the ocean to America in 1917. A poor immigrant does not spend hard earned money on watches or other lavish items, so the pocket watch was the only inheritance the patriarch had to pass on to his only son.

This only son made good on the American dream and his passion for watches began with that single timepiece. When this son passed on, he left to his son a collection of exquisite timepieces that numbered fifty; all beautifully crafted watches, all unique in their own way.

The present day son, extremely successful in his own right, had expanded this legacy of fine watches to well over 200, all unique timepieces, all gorgeous. They were housed in especially designed cases crafted in precious woods

These were the cases that his wife now pondered. How could she top this? How could any watch that she could discover compete with this incredible collection of watches before her. Her eye kept going back to that first simple timepiece, the pocket watch. She realized that in over 75 years of collecting watches , no other pocket watch had been added, as if to honor the original in it’s singularity. She knew now what type of watch she would gift her husband with at their coming wedding anniversary.

This what she chose.

Stoakes Early Verge

51mm Sterling Pair Case Open-Face, Keywind/Keyset, Circa 1765 R-3

This fire gilt verge fusee movement is signed “Stoakes London 20870.” It features a fancy filigree frame which surrounds a silver disc regulator along with a 2-footed pierced balance cock and a 3-arm flat steel balance wheel. Fancy baluster pillars are also presented. The champleve silver dial is signed “Stoakes” on a central banner. A open date window appears below center. The dial is very fine with black enameled Roman hour chapters, golden circular medallions and black outer 5-minute numerals. Gold spade pointers center the dial.