English gilt metal and horn minute repeater Circa 1780

Gilt metal and horn minute repeating watch for the Turkish market
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A rare English gilt metal and horn pair cased minute repeating cylinder watch for the Turkish market, circa 1780, gilded full plate movement, cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced balance cock engraved with foliate scrolls, diamond endstone, flat three-arm balance, polished steel hammers repeating on a bell to the inside case back, the bell scratch signed Drury, repeating spring signed Ansell, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed Markwick, Markham, Perigal, London.
White enamel dial, Turkish numerals, outer minute ring, blued steel beetle and poker hands, signed Markwick Markham, Perigal, London.
Gilt metal inner case, pierced for sound emission and engraved with scrolling foliage and flowers, long stirrup pendant and bow, outer case with green stained tortoiseshell, the bezels interspersed with pierced gilt copper panels and decorative pin work
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Signed: Markwick Markham Perigal London

This is an especially early minute repeating watch which dates to the early to mid 1780s. Although a handful of minute repeating watches made by Thomas Mudge in the 1760s have survived, very few minute repeaters by other makers are found before the early 19^th century. The repeating work of the present watch is of the Stogden-type and has a reversed hour snail and four-armed minute snail. Markwick Markham specialised in watches for the Turkish market and this watch features a typical Turkish numeral dial and a handsome green-stained tortoiseshell case which is decorated with gilt copper panels and pin work.