English 18 carat gold precision pocket watch Circa 1822

Pocket watch with minute repeater
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An early, extremely rare precision pocket watch with minute repeater and duplex escapement, made by John Cross at 15 Charterhouse Square, London, England, circa 1822. The numbered open faced case of this watch, which was crafted from 18 carat gold, has London Hallmarks for 1822 and its cuvette is numbered. Its white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, gilt minute and hour hands and a metal seconds hand. The movement is equipped with a duplex escapement, a chronometer balance, a minute repeater and a diamond end stone.
The case and cuvette have matching numbers, the cuvette is signed.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 170 g
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Signed: John Cross at Charterhouse Square, London
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Pocket watches from this period with a minute repeater are extremely rare.
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Cross
John Cross was a prominent British pocket watchmaker, clockmaker and wholesaler based in London during the early to mid 19^th century. John Cross, the father, was born in England and established the family business in the Islington/Finsbury district of London. It was registered at multiple addresses over his lifetime, beginning work at Charterhouse Square No. 5 and No. 10, before securing a lasting workshop at 15 Charterhouse Square between 1822 and 1826.

He married Mary Powell and passed his technical expertise down to his children.

John Berryhill Cross was born in 1805 in Old Street, Finsbury, John Berryhill followed directly in his father’s footsteps. Alongside his brother, Richard Powell Cross, he took over and expanded the family business. After Richard’s tragic early death in 1835 at age 26, John Berryhill continued to run the primary workshop, which had relocated to 41 Charterhouse Square. In trade directories of the era, he is frequently listed under this address as a master watchmaker and wholesaler.
Before his eventual demise, John Berryhill Cross faced severe financial hardship. According to official legal notices published in The London Gazette and historical legal volumes of The Jurist, he was officially declared bankrupt in February 1850.