English cylinder in gold pair cases George Graham Circa 1748

Fine gold cylinder pocket watch
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An English cylinder watch in specially made 20 Carat gold pair case. Full plate fire gilt movement signed Geo Graham London circa 1748, signed gilt dust cover Geo Graham London. Pierced and engraved cock with diamond endstone, engraved foot and plate for the silver regulator disc. Plain three arm polished steel balance, blue steel spiral hairspring. Polished steel cylinder, large brass escape wheel. White enamel dial, Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring, one gold and one gilt hand. Winding through the back.
Plain inner case, gold pendant and bow, heavy quality plain outer case with maker’s mark HLP  Henri La Pierre hallmark 1782. Inner case with maker’s mark IW incuse probably for John Willoughby.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 120 g
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Signed: Geo Graham London
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The case made by Henri la Pierre HLP, who worked from 1762 to 1812 in Amsterdam. He was born in 1737, was a goldsmith in 1762, and was married in 1763 to Maria Anna Keerman. He had his workshop in the Rozenstraat. A quality watch for every collection.

George Graham (1674-1751), was one of England’s most renowned clock and watchmakers. He was an apprentice to Henry Aske in 1688 and then entered the service of Thomas Tompion as a journeyman in 1695. He married one of Tompion’s nieces and became his partner in 1704, succeeding to the business on Tompion’s death in 1713. He was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1721 and Master of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1722. It is believed that he improved or perhaps invented the cylinder escapement. He used the verge escapement up to 1726 and then mainly the cylinder after the time. On his death in 1751, as a sign of the great respect in which he was held, Tompion’s grave in Westminster Abbey was opened to receive the body of his former partner.
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Reference 0040000