French gold quarter repeating verge pocket watch Circa 1715

Gold rare pair cased  verge pocket watch
–
A French pair-cased quarter repeating verge pocket watch in a rare 20k gold case, circa 1715.
The outer case is 20k gold and florally engraved.  The Inner case is 20k gold, rear bell.
Enamel dial, full plate movement, 2 hammers, three-arm brass balance.
–
Diameter: 49 mm
–
Weight: 116 g
–
Signed: Simon De Charmes  London
–
Simon des Charmes was a French Huguenot watchmaker born in 1665 in Langres. He was extremely talented and successful.
The few timepieces by des Charmes that have survived until today are some of his finest works.
His parents died soon after he was born. Simon stayed in France until the Revocations of the Edict of Nantes in 1685, then  however  he followed the example of other Huguenot craftsmen and emigrated to London. In 1691 he gained his freedom from the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers; he became a wealthy man and moved to a grand house in Hammersmith. Des Charmes was married and had six children; he died in 1734 in Hammersmith at the age of 69.