English 22k gold à toc repeating repoussé watch Circa 1765

Gold pair cased quarter repeating verge watch by Cabrier
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A very fine and very rare English 22 carat pair cased quarter repeating repoussé verge pocket watch with à toc feature, circa 1765. Gilt full plate movement with square baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass three armed balance with flat balance spring, single footed cock with streamers, blued steel end plate, finely pierced and chased backplate furniture, silver regulation dial, lever for full repeat or a toc in the bezel. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer minute track with large five minute Arabic numerals and blued steel scroll hands. Gilt brass and shagreen protective case, repoussé outer case, very finely chased with a scene of Cleopatra and Octavian, scroll border and with four outer shell cartouches, pierced scrollwork between, the bezel decorated to match, the inner case with master mark AN, deep back, the band finely pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage and a grotesque mask, silver dust cap. Movement signed, outer repoussé gold case signed M for George Michael Moser.
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Diameter incl. outer case: 55 mm
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Signed: Cabrier London
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George Michael Moser (1704-1783), born in Schaffhausen, he was a famous embosser, goldsmith, enameler and teacher of drawing to King George III. He made the first great seal of George III, as well as many elaborate watch cases, among them one for Queen Charlotte, for which he received ‘a hatful of guineas’. He was a pivotal figure in obtaining recognition for goldsmiths as artists. Sir Joshua Reynolds described him as ‘the Father of the present Race of Artists’. In 1768 he became the first Keeper of the Royal Academy. Around 1740 he was one of the first to begin using asymmetrical compositions in framing ornaments borrowed from the rococo. His engravings are the first English asymmetrical patterns published. His work is sometimes compared to that of French painter J.A. Meissonnier. He did repoussé work for William Webster, Gray, Justin Vulliamy and others. Most of his work is signed.