English gold enamel repeater for the Ottoman market Circa 1785

Gold open faced key winding verge watch
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A fine and large English gold, painted enamel, and pearl set open faced pair cased clock watch with hours and half hours repetition, made for the Ottoman market by George Prior in London, circa 1785. It has a mechanical key winding fire gilded brass movement with a verge escapement, a fusee and chain, a flat spiral balance spring, a regulation disc, and striking hammers hitting an internal bell. The movement plate is fully and deeply engraved with large scrolling foliage motifs. It features an intricately chased and pierced English type balance cock with a single foot, signed George Prior London on both the movement and the protective gold dust cover. The white enamel dial features an outer minute track, bold black Turkish numerals for the hours and minutes, distinctive half hour markings, and ornate gold hands meticulously set with rows of half pearls, signed George Prior, London.
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The timepiece is housed in a magnificent protective pair case configuration. The inner case features finely chased, engine turned, and engraved scrollwork decoration across its centre and borders. The outer hinged case features a bezel set with a continuous row of split pearls, framing a reverse back cover spectacularly finished with a finely painted polychrome enamel cartouche of a vibrant bouquet of flowers. This central floral vignette is set within a lavish, multicoloured border of red, green, and translucent blue enamel, accented by a half pearl framework, and completed by pierced outer case galleries with enamel floral highlights, a plain fluted pendant stem, and a sturdy round suspension bow.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Weight: 164.3 g
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Signed: George Prior London