English repeating pocket watch with date indicator Circa 1880

Gold gentleman’s quarter repeating watch by Hunt & Roskell
–
An English gentleman’s quarter repeating pocket watch with date indicator, circa 1880. 18 Carat gold, polished case with an engraved eagle surrounded by the motto Sursum Corda (lift up your hearts), a gold dome and case maker’s punch mark JM (John Martin, London). Signed enamel dial with radial Roman hours, auxiliary seconds at three, date indicator at nine, and blued spade hands. Frosted gilt, chatoned, signed 4/5 plate movement with two hammers/two gongs, lever escapement, gold screw compensation balance, blued balance spring, and fine florally engraved balance cock.
–
Diameter: 48 mm
–
Weight: 103 g
–
Signed: Hunt & Roskell, 156 New Bond St., London
–
Hunt & Roskell
The manufactory of Hunt & Roskell was founded by the famous gold and silversmith Paul Storr. When Storr went into partnership with John Mortimer and John Samuel Hunt, he took up the retailing of clocks and watches in addition to his original business of selling gold, silver, and jewellery in their New Bond Street shop. The partnership dissolved at the end of 1838, and Mortimer, J.S. and J. Hunt continued trading as Mortimer & Hunt at 156 New Bond Street. When Mortimer retired in 1843, he was replaced by Robert Roskell, and the company continued as Hunt & Roskell until it was bought by J.W. Benson in 1866. They had additional premises in Manchester and produced watches for the China trade, as well as fine minute repeating watches and watches with spherically sprung spring detent tourbillons. Hunt & Roskell exhibited at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867.