Fine, rare English gold lever for the Chinese market Circa 1850

Gold, enamel and pearl-set centre seconds lever by Just & Son
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A fine and rare English 18 carat gold, enamel and pearl set open faced lever watch with centre seconds made for the Chinese market, circa 1850. Chased and engraved mechanical lever movement, 12 jewels, standing barrel, three armed polished balance with weights. Gilt cuvette with decoratively engraved centre and rim. White enamel dial with Roman numerals, gold spade hands, outer Arabic 15-minute divisions and centre seconds. Case with split pearl-set bezels, pendant and bow, black and white enamel band, the back cover and pendant decorated with a cloisonné enamel spray of flowers on black enamel background.
Case and cuvette numbered, movement signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Signed: Just & Son London
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Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects with coloured material held in place or separated by metal strips or wire, normally of gold. In recent centuries, vitreous enamel has been used, but inlays of cut gemstones, glass and other materials were also used during older periods, indeed, cloisonné enamel very probably began as an easier imitation of cloisonné work using gems. The resulting objects can also be called cloisonné.