English gold and enamel open faced pocket watch Circa 1770

Gold open faced key winding verge watch
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A fine English gold open faced pocket watch with translucent blue enamel on the reverse cover, made by Isaac Roberts in London, circa 1770. This watch has a mechanical key winding fire gilded brass movement with a verge fusee escapement. It features an intricately pierced and chased balance cock decorated with detailed scrollwork and a silver regulation disc signed Isaac Roberts, London. The white enamel dial has a single winding aperture near 4 o’clock, black Arabic numerals for the hours, and elegant hands; the minute hand is slightly bent.
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The timepiece is housed in an exceptionally fine gold open faced case. The reverse back cover is beautifully finished in translucent royal blue enamel over a smooth base, adorned with an elegant repeat pattern of gold and light green floral motifs.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 75 g
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Signed: Isaac Roberts, London
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Isaac Roberts was an esteemed 18th century English master watchmaker active in London, predominantly from the mid 1700s through the 1780s. Operating during the golden era of British horology, he became highly regarded for producing complex, luxurious, and technically accomplished timepieces, including fine quarter repeating pocket watches and gold verge fusee models. His workshop catered heavily to the affluent aristocratic market, as shown by his extensive collaboration with master enamelers to produce opulent casings. Roberts’ creations frequently combined advanced mechanical craftsmanship, such as meticulously pierced balance cocks and intricate regulation discs, with breathtaking aesthetic details like the vibrant translucent basse taille and champlevé enamelling seen on his finest surviving pieces. Today, authenticated watches bearing his signature, Isaac Roberts, London, are uncommon and highly prized by horological collectors for their historical importance and exceptional mechanical execution.