English 20 carat gold pair cased repoussé pocket watch Circa 1750

Gold key wound verge watch by Charles Cabrier
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An English 20 carat gold pair cased key wound repoussé pocket watch, circa 1750. The full plate movement with a verge escapement, chain and fusee, fine adjustment, and an openwork and engraved balance cock showing the face of Chronos. White enamel dial with Arabic hour numerals, outer minute divisions and, presumably, replaced gold hands. The outer case is richly decorated and chased with antique style depictions and rocaille ornamentation, it bears various hallmarks including maker’s mark WR and the date letter for 1745. Movement signed and numbered. Comes with the original key set with small turquoises.
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Diameter outer case: 47 mm
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Weight: 93.5 g
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Signed: C. Cabrier London 2
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Charles Cabrier II was active in London from 1719 to 1777 and was the second of three generations of London based watchmakers named Charles Cabrier. Charles is an unusual given name for a Huguenot (Old Testament names were preferred to avoid the ones of Catholic saints), but was chosen for the first Charles Cabrier born in 1670 in Lyons, France, after his great-uncle and godfather, Dr Charles Spon, a distinguished 17th century Doctor of Medicine.

Charles Cabrier II was apprenticed to his father, Charles Cabrier I, became a member of the London Clockmakers’ Company in 1719, was made free in 1726, served as assistant to the master from 1750 and was master of that guild from 1757 to 1772. Until 1759, he had a workshop at 79 Broad Street, near Finsbury Circus, he then moved to Pig Street (which does not exist anymore) near Threadneedle Street. He married Rebecca Stone in April 1725. Their firstborn son died in infancy, but their second son, born in 1729, became the third reputed watchmaker Charles Cabrier III.