English centre seconds verge for the Chinese market Circa 1770

Engraved and enamelled verge in pair-cases by William Carpenter
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A rare English small, probably the earliest known, pair-cased spindle pocket watch with centre seconds made for the Chinese market, circa 1770.
The outer case is presumably silver-plated copper, splendidly engraved, alternating red and white stones on both sides, on the reverse a central round polychrome enamel portrait of a lady, the inner case gold-plated, maker’s mark WC for William Carpenter. English quality, excellently preserved white enamel dial with radial Roman hours, outer Arabic five-minute numerals and centre seconds. Signed and numbered verge movement.
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Diameter: 62 mm
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Weight: 177 g
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Signed: William Carpenter London
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William Carpenter was probably born in 1727. He was a highly-skilled watchmaker in London in the late 18th century. Carpenter successfully made fine watches and automatons for the Chinese, Indian and Turkish markets. In 1781 he was acquitted by the Clockmaker’s Company. He worked until 1803. William Carpenter is particularly known for his great jukeboxes. Some of its vending machines are owned by the Beijing Palace Museum in China and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. To our knowledge, No. 2502 is Carpenter’s earliest known watch.