English gold repeating watch with chain and compass Circa 1867

Gold half hunting cased keyless lever watch
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An English gold half hunting cased quarter repeating keyless lever ladies’ watch with chain and compass, circa 1867. The watch features a gilded ¾ plate movement, signed Hunt & Roskell 156 New Bond Street London, with a lever escapement, bimetallic compensated balance, ruby endstone, some jewels set in screwed settings and two polished steel hammers that repeat on coiled gongs. The white enamel dial signed Hunt & Roskell London has Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track and blued steel double spade hands.
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The 18 carat gold case has a front with a glazed aperture surrounded by black enamel Roman numerals and an inner minute ring. It features a plain polished back, sunken repeating slide to the band, an olivette for hand setting beside the crown and a polished gold cuvette, hallmarked London 1867, along with the case maker’s mark AS in a rectangular cameo. likely for Alfred Stram. It is accompanied by a long gold oval link chain with a T bar and swivel for the compass.
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Diameter: 35 mm
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Length of chain: 450 mm
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Signed: Hunt & Roskell London
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The movement is working well and the hands move smoothly. However, there is some tarnishing on the backplate. The chimes are inconsistent, they strike the hours and quarter hours but may only chime the first three or four hours if set past 12:45. Eventually, it often resumes chiming and can chime all remaining hours and quarters. The dial is slightly loose but in good condition overall. The case has light marks and scratches with some signs of polishing and the marks on the pendant are a bit worn. The chain is generally in good condition. The compass has some green corrosion on the needle and slight dents in its casing. The chain is 18 carat gold.
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Hunt & Roskell, English watch manufacturer
The company (1843-1897) was originally founded by the renowned gold and silversmith Paul Storr.
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When Storr formed a partnership with John Mortimer and John Samuel Hunt, in addition to their original trade in gold and silverware, and jewellery, they also began selling watches from their store on New Bond Street. The partnership ended in 1838. Mortimer, along with J.S. and J. Hunt, continued trading as Mortimer & Hunt at 156 New Bond Street.
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In 1843, Robert Roskell joined the company, which operated under the name Hunt & Roskell until it was acquired by J.W. Benson in 1866. Hunt & Roskell also had branches in Manchester, where they manufactured watches for the Chinese market, fine minute repeaters, and watches with tourbillons and spring escapements.
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In 1867, Hunt & Roskell exhibited at the Paris World’s Fair.
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From 1843 to 1849, Charles Frederick Hancock was a business partner in the company.
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In 1844, the firm was listed with John Samuel Hunt (partner), John Hunt (partner), Robert Roskell (partner), Charles Frederick Hancock (partner), Charles Mugoeridge (associate), Thomas Nicholls (associate), Charles Fines (employee), Joseph Headford (apprentice), William Frampton (apprentice), and others such as Rothing, Day and John Dixon (supervisor), likely to be John Dixon Metcalfe, a clerk at Storr and Mortimer.