English gold half quarter repeating ruby cylinder Circa 1820

Gold pair cased half quarter repeating ruby cylinder watch
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An English fine gold pair cased half quarter repeating ruby cylinder watch, circa 1820, gilded full plate movement, ruby cylinder escapement, plain balance cock, plain flat four-arm balance, ruby endstone, silver regulator scale, mainspring set-up on barrel bridge, repeating on coiled gongs, fusee and chain, cylindrical pillars, signed Barrauds’, London.
Gold dial, chapter ring with stippled finish, polished Roman numerals, outer pearled minute ring, engine-turned subsidiary seconds with Arabic numerals, gold beetle and poker hands, engine-turned center.
Plain gold inner case, the back with winding aperture, plunge pendant, outer case with engine-turned back and with central monogrammed cartouche, milled bezels, both cases with case maker’s mark WW incuse for William Wickes.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: Barrauds’ London
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Although ‘single cased’ watches had become well established by 1820, the English preference for a substantial watch persisted, and there remained a demand for the more traditional pair cased watch. However, the use of the cylinder escapement and the incorporation of gongs rather than bells in repeating watches had achieved a reduction in movement height, and consequently case depth.

Paul Philip Barraud was born in London on 5th December 1752. He was admitted to the Clockmakers’ Company in 1796 and elected Master in 1810 and 1811. With the help of George Jamison and William Howells, he was able to offer a simplified version of Mudge’s chronometers Green and Blue, to the Admiralty at a price of 90 Guineas.