English 22k gold pair-cased repoussé verge watch Circa 1729

Gold repoussé pocket watch by Windmills
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A very fine English pair-cased, 22K gold pocket watch with repoussé outer case, circa 1729. The inner case with London hallmarks for 1729-30. Repoussé outer case, the case back depicting Susanna being surprised while bathing by two old men, the border with repoussé foliate scrolls and trophies, the bezel decorated to match. A polished inner case, master mark WS.

Gold dial with champlevé radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals in polished cartouches, the whole on a matte background, the centre with scrolls and signature cartouche. Blued steel beetle and poker hands. A frosted gilt full plate movement with inverted square baluster pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, plain brass balance with flat balance spring, finely pierced and engraved single-footed cock with a mask and almost straight foot, diamond endstone, silver regulation disc. Dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Signed: Windmills  London
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Thomas Windmills The son of Joseph Windmills, to whom he was apprenticed until 1693. He is recorded working until 1732. Susanna and The Elders The story is set in Babylon and tells how Susanna, the wife of a prosperous Jew was secretly desired by two elders of the community and they plotted to seduce her. She was accustomed to going into her garden to bathe and one day the two elders hid themselves and as soon as her maids had gone they sprang out naked on the unsuspecting girl. They threatened her that unless she gave herself to them they would swear she had committed adultery for which the penalty was death. She cried out and the elders carried out their threat. She was only saved by Daniel who cross-examined the elders and proved her innocence.