English gold and enamel pair-cased pocket watch Circa 1780

Gold and enamel repeater
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An exquisite English 22 carat gold and enamel pair-cased repeating verge pocket watch by Higgs & Evans, circa 1780. The outer case is in the typical style of the watchmaker with violet engine-turned enamel, decorative white enamel rims and an elliptical plaque with a fine polychrome enamel painting, pierced and engraved inner case, makers mark ET, bell. Signed and numbered original dome. Signed and numbered verge movement in top quality, splendid verge cock, diamond endstone. Signed white enamel dial with Roman hours and Arabic five-minute numerals, presumably the original pink gold hands.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 113 g
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Signed: Higgs & Evans Londres
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Higgs & Evans London stands for top-class English enamel watches. The case design is mostly in the same style, with ulti-coloured enamel and a central elliptical enamel painted plaque. They were highly respected watchmakers. They first worked in the Sweetings Alley and later in the Royal Exchange. The company was founded in 1775 and existed until 1825. Higgs & Evans mainly specialized in the production of watches for the Spanish market, some of their watches can be found in the Science Museum and the Guildhall Museum.