English gold watch set with pearls, diamonds and jewels Circa 1770

Gold repeating pair cased pocket watch by John Champion
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An English gold, diamond, pearls, emeralds and rubies set key wind repeating pair cased pocket watch, circa 1770-1772. Made for the Chinese market.
The verge movement of this piece is made of a combination of gilded brass and blued steel. It features a fusee, as well as a balance cock that has been intricately pierced and engraved. The regulation is silvered, and the pillars are designed in a baluster style. The white enamel dial is adorned with black-painted Chinese characters and blued steel hands. The characters denote the hours and minutes, following the twice-twelve division of the day customary in the West. However, the painting of the characters suggests the hand of a European craftsman not entirely comfortable with Chinese calligraphy. It is worth noting that these characters do not relate to traditional Chinese methods of dividing the day, which are too complex to fit on a simple watch dial. The watch has two cases – an outer case made of glass and gold set with diamonds, pearls, emeralds, and rubies, and an inner case made of gold, engraved, and pierced.
The movement of the watch bears the signature Jno. Champion / London and is identified by the number 1995. The case is marked with the unidentified maker’s mark HT, and the watch was made by British watchmaker John Champion, who lived from 1730 to 1779.
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Diameter: 61 mm
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Signed: Jn Champion London
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This timepiece is a rare and unique find, blending Western technology with Eastern aesthetics. It serves as a reminder of the cultural exchange that occurred during the Age of Exploration, where trade and exploration led to exchanging ideas and goods between different civilizations. The watch is a testament to the ingenuity and artistry of its maker and a valuable addition to any collection of historical timepieces.