🥇 BANNER John Wright 1720 Pocket Watch!!!!!

[Eagle101]

What a great day out on a couple of my colonial permissions. So I found 2 pocket watches. One is I believe coin silver that's engraved with SWL with what looks to be a hallmark above the S. I found a 1781 2 Real about a hundred feet from there engraved with the same lettering. I'm hoping its early 1800's or earlier. Any help identifying it would be very appreciated.

I also found another pocket watch at a totally different site. So that's 2 in one day. Plus an Engraved spoon or fork handle. I found the same initials before but the other one had the last name on it. I was able to find out who the owner was. She lived in that area from 1815-1860. I actually found where her house is. I'm planning on giving both to the homeowner. I found it about 5 miles away from there. Also I found a rev war musket ball and a copper piece with writing on it.

 

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[xcopperstax]

Awesome recovery! Without giving away your treasure location or who, do the initials match the name of the historical figure?

 

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[dansalata]

fantastic

 

[oxbowbarefoot]

Incredible find! Nice job on the research as well. I can't wait to see it when you're done with the cleaning. Also, my Banner vote is on it's way!

 

[Switchblade]

AWESOME!!!

 

[Plumbata]

Dang, is that a Fusee watch? What an awesome find!!

 

[Eagle101]

So I'm slowly cleaning it. Colonial gold!! Its a William Harding London watch...in all my years I've found some amazing items. None are even close to this one!!!

No it doesn't give it away. I believe it was his neighbors 5 houses down...

 

[Eagle101]

Yes i believe it is a Fusee...

 

[Eagle101]

Incredible find! Nice job on the research as well. I can't wait to see it when you're done with the cleaning. Also, my Banner vote is on it's way!

Thank you for the banner vote!!! I thought i would get more love on this find. This is way more rarer than a tree coin...

 

[huntsman53]

Congrats on not only an awesome find but a rare and historical one as well!!! While it would be great to see the pocket watch restored to it's original condition, it would be extremely costly and almost impossible to accomplish due to the rarity of the movement and availability of parts. Many of the parts would have to be hand-made since the majority of parts are likely unavailable thus increasing the price of the restoration. A restoration by a well known Watch/Clock Maker/Repairman or Company and any significant Provenance you could find and document would surely propel the value of the pocket watch sky high. However, whether the increased value would offset the costs of the restoration, is hard to say. Surely, there are many Collectors who would trip over each other to own such a rare and historical pocket watch as it is and if you plan on selling it, that might be something to consider but do all you can to find and document some Provenance before considering selling it. And yes, it has a rare Verge Fusee Movement.

 

[Mr. Digger]

Amazing. I'm voting banner!

 

[West Jersey Detecting]

So I'm slowly cleaning it. Colonial gold!! Its a William Harding London watch...in all my years I've found some amazing items. None are even close to this one!!!

I would say this is a banner find!

 

[villagenut]

Awesomely fantastic....Banner vote coming yer way.

 

[A2coins]

I need that watch lol wow that spoon is really cool as well Great finds

 

[trdking]

I am glad you came to the determination that this was not a Wright watch on your own. There are details in the piercing that do not match. This watch is not of Wright quality! However any man who could afford to purchase a watch in this day was a man of wealth and prominence. They were incredibly pricey. To find and Pierced cock fusee in the dirt is a windfall.
When you get to cleaning the sides of the movement please take some photos of the Columns that support the top bridge to the bottom plate. See the reference to fusee and columns in your Wright picture. You will see them and they are ornate. This will help you better date your piece as these changed consistently over time. I am thinking this is a Banner as well. Make sure you post an excellent close up in case it is selected!

 

[Rookster]

Very nice find.Congrats

 

[trdking]

BTW What markings are in the case and dust cover? This can be restored by the looks of it and vintage era movements are available to tuck inside it Just a thought

 

[cheffer]

Yeah, you should be getting more love on this post, you found something many of us only dream about finding. This is banner worthy so you have my vote, and don't be surprised to see the views and comments jump whether it makes it or not, lot of new interest in your post. Congrats!

 

[Hawks88]

That’s a fantastic save. Congrats

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Killer relic hunt!

 

[Eagle101]

Here's better pictures of it cleaned up. I think it looks amazing. The pieces are starting to be able to move. I can't believe the detail on it. There are 2 eagles inside the sun.