English gold pair cased repeating à toc cylinder watch Circa 1760

Gold dumb quarter repeater
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An English 18 carat gold pair cased quarter repeating à toc pocket watch made by Benjamin Gray and Julian Vulliamy in London, circa 1760. The gilt full plate movement with a cylinder escapement, decoratively pierced and engraved balance cock, diamond end stone, fusee and chain, and rounded baluster pillars. A gilt metal dust cap. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, outermost Arabic five minute numerals and blued poker & beetle hands. A worn engraved outer case. Movement signed and marked XSU, case numbered.
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Diameter: 44 mm
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Signed: Benjamin Gray & Julian Vulliamy
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Montre à toc. A ‘dumb’ repeater watch in which a hammer strikes the inside of the case to produce a muffled sound. Invented by Julian Le Roy in 1740.
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Justin Vulliamy was the patriarch of three generations of watch and clockmakers. He left Switzerland and moved to England, becoming the partner of Benjamin Gray, whose daughter he married. Following his father-in-law’s death, Vulliamy continued to employ Gray’s coded numbering system. Vulliamy’s son, Benjamin, was active from 1775 to 1820, and in turn, his son, Benjamin Lewis, continued the business until his death in 1854.