English 18K gold verge repoussé chatelaine watch Circa 1771

Gold watch with repoussé decoration
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An English George III 18 carat gold open faced pocket watch with matching chatelaine made by James Hunt and the watch made by Creak & Smith in London, circa 1771. This pocket watch has a hand wound mechanical movement with a traditional fusee barrel and verge escapement. The white enamel dial shows bold black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer minute track with Arabic numerals (5–60), and delicate gold hands. The watch is enclosed in its outer case, which features an intricate repoussé scene of a classical gallant couple within an architectural framework, surrounded by asymmetrical scrollwork borders.
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The accompanying chatelaine is made from four interconnected 18 carat gold plates with elaborate scrolled rocaille ornamentation in the high Rococo style. The upper plaque depicts a detailed musical performance, while the central panels show a figure holding a cup amid foliate swags. Suspended from the chatelaine is a gold mounted winding key set with a zoned agate intaglio depicting a woman’s profile and a decorative agate plaque engraved with a monogram and a mythological scene.
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Weight: 172.90 g
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Length chatelaine: 150 mm
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Signed: James Hunt (Chatelaine)

             Creak & Smith, London (dial)
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The George III 18K gold chatelaine is crafted by James Hunt in London in 1771, and the 18K gold pocket watch is made by Creak & Smith.
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James Hunt was an 18th century English goldsmith and silversmith. He started his apprenticeship with his father, William Hunt. His name appears in the 1773 Parliamentary Report, and Heal lists him as a silversmith on King Street, Cheapside, since 1760. Heal also notes William Hunt & Son as goldsmiths operating at the Golden Lion on King Street. James Hunt died in 1782.