English gold cylinder made for the Chinese market Circa 1816

Gold, enamel and pearl-set pocket watch
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A very fine and rare English, large 18 Carat gold, painted on enamel, pearl-set pocket watch, circa 1816. Purple Bouquet by Charman & Co., London, the case by Louis Competes, London hallmarks for 1816-1817, made for the Chinese market. An Empire case, master mark L.C., with fixed cuvette, reeded band, split pearl-set bezels, pendant and bow, the back painted on enamel with a fine bouquet of summer flowers against translucent purple enamel over sunburst engine-turning, the border decorated in champlevé enamel. Spring-loaded back opened by a push-piece in the pendant.
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Gilded dust cap finely engraved with scrolling foliage. Off-white enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and subsidiary seconds. Gold spade and poker hands. A hinged, full-plate movement, gilt, going barrel, cylindrical pillars, cylinder escapement, brass four-arm balance, the balance and the steel escape wheel jewelled, both with ruby end stones, flat balance spring with Joseph Bosley patented regulator, gilded cock pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage. Movement signed, numbered on the dial.
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Diameter: 62 mm
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Signed: Charman & Co.  London
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It is very rare to find a background of this colour; they are usually in red, blue, pink or lavender tones. During the early 19th century, there was a great deal of competition between English and Swiss makers for the lucrative Chinese market. One can distinguish between watches made in Switzerland for this market and those made in London. The English style, by such makers as Anthony, Ilbery, and Charman can be identified by the finish of the movement and the way it is fitted into the case (usually with a fixed cuvette). Some watches were made in Switzerland mimicking the English style, due to the prestige attached to a London-signed watch.