Exceptional English gold quarter repeating verge Circa 1720

Exceptional gold quarter repeating verge
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An exceptional English 20 carat gold quarter repeating pair cased verge watch, circa 1720, fire gilt full plate movement, verge escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock, plain flat brass balance, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, repeating on a bell, gilt champlevé dial, Roman numerals, Arabic outer minute track, blued steel beetle and poker hands, gilt metal dust cap signed Rich. Vick  London, gold inner case with decoratively pierced band, engraved with scrolling foliage and birds, a grotesque mask at the base, plunge pendant, the top with a stylized floral boss, gold outer case with a square hinge, embossed and chased decoration around the central reserve, four part symmetrical scroll cartouche with half-round indents for four bust medallions, alternating with pierced, chased and engraved panels, front bezel similarly decorated and with pulse piece, square hinge, both cases with maker’s mark IP.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Richard Vick London
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The style of embossing and chasing to the outer case is one that was fashionable by 1720. It is possible that the embossing is an early example of the work of Augustin Heckel whom Vick certainly employed. Richard Vick, is recorded as apprenticed in 1692, Free of the Clockmakers Company in 1702, he became the Company’s  Master in 1729.  He was also recorded as keeper of the Clocks in the King’s palace.