English gold and gem set quarter repeating verge Circa 1760

Attractive pair cased repeating keywound verge attributed to James Cox
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A very fine, rare and attractive English 18 carat gold and gem set pair cased keywound quarter repeating verge watch, circa 1760. Gilt finished finely scroll and foliage engraved verge movement, chain fusée, diamond endstone, quarter repeating on two hammers onto a bell. White enamel dial with Roman numerals and blued steel hand (one hand missing). Case with pierced and engraved foliate band, the outer case pierced, chased and engraved with rocaille, ruby and emerald set bezel, back embellished with a rose cut diamond, amethyst, emerald and ruby set elephant, diamond set thumbpiece, repeating through the pendant.
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Signed: No name
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The 18th century watch- and clockmaker and entrepreneur James Cox (1723-1788) is particularly reputed for his work destined to the Chinese market. His watches and automaton clocks were often presented to the Chinese Emperor Qian Long as a gift. Several of these timepieces can still be found in the collection of the Museum of the Forbidden City in Beijing (see also Timepieces, The Forbidden City Publishing House). Initially a manufacturer, James Cox then became an entrepreneur following the success of his automaton clocks, oriental clocks and watches, appealing mainly to customers from China, India and the Far East. His lavishly decorated luxury pieces enjoyed enormous success in these regions and consequently, James Cox concentrated on these markets. This trade added considerably to his reputation, to such an extent and so successfully that, by 1770, he owned a company with several hundred employees. Today, exceptional clocks and watches from the workshops of James Cox can be found in the world’s most distinguished collections and museums.

One hand missing