English gold triple cased repoussé verge watch Circa 1770

Watch with half quarter repetition
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A  triple cased repoussé 22 Carat verge watch in a case in the style of the famous Moser cases with half quarter  repetition of exceptional quality and signed William Gastrell in London, England, circa 1770. This William Gastrell Gold Watch is an exquisite timepiece featuring three cases. The protective open faced case is gold plated, covered with ray skin and adorned with golden decorative nails. The main case, made from 22 Carat gold, boasts masterful repoussé work depicting the mythological scene of “Hermes and Andromeda”. Comparable to works by Moser, the case is signed by WG (William Gastrell) and has sound openings. The inner case is also made from 22 Carat gold, is pierced and fitted with a bell. The white enamel dial has an outer ring displaying black Arabic numerals for the minutes, black Roman numerals for the hours and black steel hands. The watch’s movement features a highly complicated English verge movement with a rare half quarter repetition on a bell, boasts a very fine quality with a diamond end stone and is signed and numbered 635, cementing its authenticity and provenance.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 148 g
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Signed: Tho’s Allen, London
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William Gastrell was born in 1747. His father John was already a well known chase and young William became acquainted with the family business at a very early age. In 1760 he was honored by the Society of Arts for his designs. Source: “The Art of the Gold Chaser, Richard Edgcumbre, Oxford, 2000”. Watches with signed Gastrell cases, like Moser specimens, are extremely rare and highly valued!