English duplex watch made for the Chinese market Circa 1840

Gold, enamel open faced watch
–
A very fine gold/enamel pocket watch for the Chinese market in excellent condition, Ilbery London, circa 1840. An 18K gold, both sides beautifully enamelled, back with a lady’s portrait, background wave-shaped red engine-turned enamel, fantastic quality, both rims florally engraved and enamelled with the same dark red background, several gold punches on the inner rim of the case, glazed dome with spring lid, extraordinary magnificent signed and numbered fire-gilt movement in special movement quality with screwed chatons and diamond endstone, ruby duplex escapement, key winding, enamel dial in perfect condition, original hands, centre seconds hand, excellent condition.
–
Diameter: 54 mm
–
Weight: 101 g
–
Signed: Ilbery London
–
The watch shows all features of a late Ilbery, i.e. construction period 1840-1850. 1. 2000 number system, which probably began after his death, because all Ilbery watches with 2000 numbers are from the period 1840-1850 with smaller cases, half-round pendant and mainly floral scenes, instead of the usual figure scenes. 2. the “modern”, very fine movement with screwed chatons and diamond endstone, so far only found on Ilbery watches of the time 1840-1850, extremely rare, documented at Ilbery no. 2185. 3. the scene of the lady portrait, which was typical for the Chinese market and used from 1840 and replaced the scenes of antiquity and the typical landscape painting. Even the extraordinary original hands can only be found at later Ilbery watches from the time after 1830, e.g. at number 2741, sold 2011 in Genèva.