English gold deck watch with stoppable center seconds Circa 1850

Gold open faced deck watch by James Hoddell & Co
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An English 18 carat gold open faced deck watch with stoppable center seconds, circa 1850. The movement with a lever escapement. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute/second track, outermost Arabic five minute numerals, a sunk center, a blued second hand and gold spade & whip hands. A plain case. Dial signed, case and movement with a matching number.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Weight: 137.5 g
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Signed: James Hodell & Co. London
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James Hoddell & Co. are listed as working in Coventry and London from 1860 to 1880. They have a deserved reputation for their watches and used an address in the heart of London’s watchmaking district, 15 Northampton Square, Clerkenwell, but had their works at Craven Street in the Chapel Fields area of Coventry. Founder James Hoddell was born in 1813 and after his death in 1889 the company was continued by his son Cope Hoddell.