English 18k gold quarter repeating pocket watch Circa 1814

Gold open faced key winding quarter repeating watch
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A fine English 18 carat yellow gold open faced quarter repeating pocket watch, made by James Rigby at Charing Cross in London, circa 1814. It features a mechanical key wound full plate fire gilded brass movement with a chain driven fusee, a hand engraved gilt balance cock, a silver regulator scale disc, and an integrated quarter repeating mechanism that strikes the hours and quarters on internal steel gongs when depressing the pendant, protected beneath a hinged gold dust cap. The movement plate is signed Jas. Rigby / Charing Cross / London.
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The white enamel dial features black Arabic numerals for the hours, an outer minute track, and gold spade hands. The timepiece is housed in an 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case with an engine turned reverse back cover centring a subtle monogrammed cartouche, a spherical pendant, and a circular suspension bow. Stamped internally with London 18K gold hallmarks for 1814, maker’s mark IW, and matching serial number.
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Diameter: 45 mm
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Weight: 52 g
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Signed: James Rigby London
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James Rigby was a prominent early 19th century London watchmaker based at Charing Cross, a premier centre for luxury horology in Georgian England. Quarter repeating pocket watches were among the most prestigious horological complications of the era, designed to chime the exact hour and quarter hour on demand so the wearer could tell the time in the dark. Combining a full plate fusee movement with a quarter striking repeating train on two gongs, this 1814 Regency timepiece is a magnificent and complete example of early 19th century British precision craftsmanship.