English gold Massey type II chronometer watch Circa 1825

Gold Massey type II Marine Chronometer by Robert Roskell
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A rare English 18 Carat gold Massey type II Marine Chronometer watch, hallmarked Chester 1825. Fold out full plate movement, keywind, grained, gilt, chain/fusee, four chatoned large sapphire jewels, so called ‘Liverpool windows’, profiled pillars, Massey type II anchor escapement, special, three armed bi metallic balance of gold and blued steel, finely floral engraved balance cock, flat spiral, signed ‘Patent’, chatoned diamond endstone on balance. White enamel dial, Roman hours, seconds and gold pear hands.  Guilloché consular case, rimmed, maker mark ‘EJ’. Dial signed. Comes with the original leather box.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Weight: 129 g
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Signed: Robt Roskell Liverpool
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Robert Roskell was a very fine chronometer and watchmaker from Liverpool, where he was also born around 1776. In 1795 he married Elizabeth Tarleton, daughter of the master watchmaker William Tarleton. His father in law was probably also his teacher. In 1803 he took over the business of Tarleton together with his brother John Roskell. The company established itself as Robert & John Roskell, Church Street 14 Liverpool. In the marriage with Elizabeth, 6 children were born, the two sons Nicholas and Robert Roskell Jr. were watchmakers. In 1825, John Roskell resigned from the company, whereupon the company was named Robert Roskell & Son and became ‘Maker to the Admiralty’.
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Roskell watches and chronometers are found in several well-known museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Powerhouse Museum, the Melbourne Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the National Maritime Museum & Royal Observatory.
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Literature: The Pocket Watch Collection by Gerd Ahrens & Ballie