English open faced centre seconds virgule watch Circa 1800

Gold watch with centre seconds and virgule escapement
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A very fine, unusual English 18 carat gold open faced centre seconds virgule pocket watch, circa 1800. Retailed by Joseph Dodds, London. Made in the style of Jaquet Droz. Gilt brass movement, Jacquet Droz calibre, standing barrel, virgule escapement, brass three armed balance, flat balance spring, index regulator, large diamond endstone. Hinged and sprung gilt metal cuvette hinged to the movement ring. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer minute and seconds divisions, Arabic fifteen second numerals, original gold arrow hour and minute hands, blued steel centre seconds hand. Polished case, inclined bezels, release catch in the pendant, stop lever in the movement ring beneath the back cover. Cuvette signed by retailer.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Signed: Joseph Dodds
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This movement caliber was used by the firm of Jaquet Droz, usually for watches made for the Chinese market at the end of the 18th century. It is possible that this watch originated from the Jaquet Droz workshops. The virgule escapement was never widely used because of its extreme delicacy and the difficulty of its construction and repair. Therefore, watches with this escapement were made in small numbers and very few survive today.