English costly decorated gold enamel pocket watch Circa 1783

Pair cased pocket watch studded with half pearls by John Friend
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A decorative, English pair cased gold enamel pocket watch studded with half pearls, costly decorated, and with matching chatelaine, circa 1783.
Two cases: outer case – 22-carat gold, à goutte, the backside engine-turned and translucent cobalt blue enamelled with paillon decor, foliage, flowers and exotic birds, and on both sides half pearls around the edge; and an inner case – gilt, polished. Matching three-part 22-carat gold chatelaine with similar enamelled signet and key, a centred diamond-set enamel plaque polychrome painted with war trophies and doves at the altar of love; length: 240 mm. Enamel dial with radial Roman hours and Poker & Beetle hands. Signed full plate movement, fire gilt, chain/fusee, three-arm steel balance, and a fine florally engraved and pierced balance bridge with vase decor.
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Diameter: 49 mm
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Weight: 123 g
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Signed: John Friend, Burchington
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John Friend, English watchmaker or watch dealer
John Friend was a watchmaker in Burchington, Birchenton or Birchington around 1780. Birchington is a place near Margate and Ramsgate about 50 km north of Dover.
The Friend family was pretty well known in Burchington. As early as 1203 there was a place called “Scottestone” in the Birchington area. Today it is known as Birchington Hall. Also known as “The Old House”, it was believed to have been a court of law in the past. In 1674 William Friend owned Scot Down or Scot Land. He was succeeded in 1690 by George Friend. All this time, the house is well-preserved in its imposing but fairly compact condition and remained unchanged until the late 1700s. Various members of the Friend family passed it on during that century, including another George Freund, John Friend and George Taddy. Undoubtedly, John Friend was a member of that great family.