Rare English 18K gold pair cased chronometer Circa 1805

Gold pocket chronometer
–
A very rare pair cased pocket chronometer made by James Hatton in London, England, circa 1805. The cases of this watch, crafted from 18 carat gold, have an unusual design, pink gold on the outside, yellow gold on the inside. The outer case is engine turned on the back, has matching London Hallmarks for 1805 and maker’s mark IR. The white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock with Arabic numerals and gold spade hands. The very fine, numbered movement has a special balance, diamond endstone and is inscribed Chronometer.
The movement is signed.
–
Diameter: 58 mm
–
Weight: 168 g
–
Signed: Ja. Hatton London
–
Hatton
James Hatton (circa 1740-1815) was an important British watchmaker who, besides clocks, also made very fine chronometers. In 1773, he published his ‘Introduction to Clock and Watchwork’. In search of the best toothing, he experimented extensively and found a new mechanism for an epicycloidal tooth form. Hatton became a chronometer maker for the East India Company.
–
The present watch was part of one of the most important European chronometer collections.