English gold, enamel watch for the Chinese market Circa 1817

Gold, enamel, and pearl-set watch by Just & Son
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An English gold, enamel, and pearl set pocket watch made for the Chinese market, circa 1817. The watch features an engraved Chinese calibre movement with duplex escapement and a diamond endstone, signed by Just & Son of London. It has a white enamel dial with Roman numerals and an outer track for minutes and seconds marked with Arabic numerals at fifteen minute/second intervals, along with a centre seconds hand. The gold case has a case back with translucent blue enamel, guilloché ground, applied gold and pearl decoration, pearl set bezels, stem and bow, and an engraved gold cuvette. It is hallmarked London 1817.
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Diameter: 49 mm
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Signed: Just & Son, London
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The movement is not functioning. The dial has minor scratches, and the centre seconds hand is loose with signs of corrosion. The enamel on the back of the case is dirty, with scuffs throughout and cracks in the pearls.
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Just & Son was an English company specialising in watch manufacturing and trading. Founded around 1825 by Scottish clock and chronometer maker Leonard Just, the company was renowned for its exquisite Chinese clocks. Leonard Just signed his timepieces with Just & Son London, despite his son still being an apprentice. Initially based in London at Middleton Square, just later relocated to Macau, working in both Canton and Macau.
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In 1839, 21 year old Douglas Lapraik arrived in Macau from Scotland to train as a watchmaker under Leonard Just. Following the first Opium War, Hong Kong became a British crown colony in 1842, prompting Lapraik to move there in 1843 and establish his own watch business, Douglas Lapraik and Co. He maintained contact with his mentor, Leonard Just. In 1846, Just & Son expanded by opening branches in Hong Kong on D’Aguilar Street and later on Queen’s Road. Eventually, Leonard Just moved to Hong Kong, sold his house, and closed the shop after a clearance sale.
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Douglas Lapraik quickly gained recognition in Hong Kong as a watchmaker, dealer, and remanufacturer. However, he realised greater opportunities lay in the burgeoning real estate market and ventured into commercial agency and ship ownership. In April 1866, his watch business was acquired by his employee and manager, George Falconer, also an apprentice of Leonard Just. The company was renamed Falconer & Co., and it continues to operate today.
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Just’s watches are often compared to those of William Anthony, though Anthony was more widely recognized. It is speculated that the movements for Just’s watches were sourced as blanks from Switzerland.