English 18 carat multi colour gold verge watch Circa 1786

Pocket watch with extremely rare stone setting
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A multi coloured gold verge watch with extremely rare stone setting “Pink Topaz”, possibly made by John Miller in London, England, circa 1786. This watch features an 18 carat three colour gold high relief case, a bezel elaborately engraved with a scrolling foliate and floral relief pattern and accented with small, inset turquoise stone beads along the outer perimeter on both sides, and a stunning, embossed floral repoussé pattern encrusted with multiple cluster set red gemstones (such as rubies or garnets) on the back lid.
The chased or engraved yellow gold dial, matching the watch case, features a beautifully applied floral and foliate border crafted from vari coloured gold directly above the chapter ring, an outer minute and hour track with black Roman hour numerals, and blued steel Breguet moon hands.
The traditional mechanical, key wound, mainspring driven movement is equipped with a gilded brass full plate, a verge escapement, a regulation dial, a pierced and engraved balance cock sculpted with intricate foliate scrollwork, floral motifs, and geometric borders and a diamond end stone.
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Diameter: 41 mm
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Weight: 38 g
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Signed: No Name
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Around 1800, pink topaz was considered one of the most valuable gemstones and was even more sought after than rubies, for example. These stones are predominantly found in jewellery or goldsmith work made for aristocratic families.