English chronometer with up and down indication Circa 1877

Gold keyless pocket chronometer 
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An English 18 carat gold open faced keyless pocket chronometer with up and down indication made by James McCabe in London, Hallmarked for 1877. It features a gilded ¾ plate movement, signed Jas. McCabe Royal Exchange London, with a free sprung spring detent escapement, a blued steel helical spring, bimetallic compensation balance with timing screws and a diamond endstone. The silvered dial, also signed Jas. McCabe Royal Exchange London, displays black Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, and subsidiary dials for the seconds and up and down indication, complemented by blued steel hands. A plain polished case, the back is centred with a decoratively engraved blank cartouche, hallmarked Chester 1877, and features the maker’s mark H.C. (or H.G.) incuse, with a plain polished gold cuvette bearing the maker’s mark F.T. within an oval cartouche, possibly for Frederick Trahern, along with a gold pendant and bow.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: Jas. McCabe of Royal Exchange London
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The dial has light scuffs and scratches, while the case is polished. The movement is fully wound but not running.
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The name James McCabe and the House of McCabe are part of a watchmaking dynasty that lasted for over a century. It was renowned for the enormous variety of its designs, and the creativity and prestige of its manufacture. James and his descendants would become one of Britain’s most prolific watchmakers with over 50.000 watches, 7000 clocks and 500 marine chronometers produced in the company’s 100 year history.
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James McCabe was born in 1748 in the town of Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland, into a family of watchmakers. His grandfather and father, Patrick McCabe, were both skilled horologists.
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Moving to Belfast, James apprenticed under his brother, Thomas, before setting up a workshop in London in 1775, in the Bells Building on Fleet Street, and subsequently, Cheapside and 97 Royal Exchange. His reputation quickly grew, he gained recognition as one of the leading watch and chronometer makers of his era. His timepieces were admired for their elegance, mechanical precision and durability, earning him prestigious commissions from royalty, nobility and prominent merchants. Among notable owners of his timepieces were Lord Horatio Nelson and the first President of the United States, George Washington. McCabe further became a respected member of the Clockmakers’ Company.
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After James’ passing in 1811, his sons continued the business, maintaining the company’s reputation for high quality horology throughout the 19th century.