Large English gold decorated cylinder watch Circa 1796-1797

Gold, enamel, pearl and diamond set watch by William Anthony
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A very fine, large English 18 carat gold, enamel, pearl and diamond set open faced cylinder pocket watch, circa 1796-1797. Hessen type gilt brass full plate movement, finely foliate chased and engraved, fusee and chain, cylinder escapement with brass escape wheel, 3 armed steel balance, flat balance spring, single footed solid engraved cock with diamond endstone, index regulator. Hinged gilt cuvette fixed to the movement ring. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer minute divisions and original gold arrowhead hands. Case by Jonah Mince (mastermark IM), the back decorated with translucent Imperial blue enamel over elaborate engine turning with rose cut diamond set applied rosette and large split pearl in the centre, azure enamel frame with red enamel dots, pearl set bezels and pendant. Cuvette signed, case with London Hallmarks for 1796-1797.
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Diameter: 59 mm
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Signed: William Anthony
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William Anthony, born about 1765, William Anthony worked in Red Lion Street, St. John’s Square, Clerkenwell, where he made high class, decorative watches for the Chinese market. Characteristic of his production are watches with oval dials and hands which are jointed so as to adjust automatically to the changing radius of the dial as they travel round. As a successful tradesman, Anthony played an active part in the founding of the Watch- and Clockmakers’ Benevolent Association in 1815, but thereafter suffered a series of losses following unsuccessful litigation with Grimaldi & Johnson and an ill fated attempt to set up a commercial exhibition in the Somerset Gallery, Strand, of Commonwealth and Stuart costume displayed on wax models. He died in straitened circumstances in 1844.