English repeating pocket watch with repoussé decoration Circa 1741

Gold pair cased verge pocket watch by Charles Cabrier
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An English pair cased quarter repeating verge pocket watch with repoussé decoration, circa 1741-1742. This exquisite timepiece is a testament to the luxury and sophistication of the 18th century. Crafted by renowned watchmaker Charles Cabrier II, the watch boasts a full plate fire-gilt movement, chain/fusee, and finely engraved and pierced balance cock with mascaron. The enamel dial features radial Roman hours, Arabic five minutes numerals, and gold Louis XV-style hands.
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The watch is housed in two cases, an outer gold case with repoussé decoration and an inner gold case with a pierced band decorated with engravings. The embossed scene on the outer case depicts the Greek sun god, Apollo, showcasing the owner’s familiarity with Greek mythology. The watch is signed by case maker Frederick Wieland and numbered 3530 on the movement’s back plate. This watch is not only a functional timepiece but also a work of art that represents the affluence and taste of its owner.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Signed: C. Cabrier, London
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This watch features a quarter-repeating movement crafted by Charles Carbrier II, a member of the renowned London watchmaking family. During the mid-eighteenth century, there was high demand for repoussé gold outer cases for watches, and this particular example is one of the few that bears a signature.
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Charles Cabrier II
Charles Cabrier’s father (a French watchmaker who emigrated to England after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes) and his son – Charles Cabrier I and III – were both reputed makers. Cabrier began his apprenticeship in 1719, was a member of the Clockmakers’ Company from 1726 on and a master from 1757 until 1772. Until 1759 he had a workshop at 79 Broad Street, near Finsbury Circus; he then moved to Pig Street – which does not exist anymore – near Threadneedle Street. The watch we have here may have been a joint effort by Charles Cabrier II and his son. Baillie mentions Charles Cabrier II as a “famous maker”; Britten calls him a “celebrated maker”. The Continence of Scipio The Continence, or alternatively The Clemency of Scipio, is a historical episode told of the Roman general Scipio Africanus during his campaign in Spain during the Second Punic War. In recognition of his generous treatment of a prisoner, he was taken as one of the prime examples of mercy during warfare in Classical times. His image was further enhanced during the Renaissance, and the episode figured widely in literary and figurative arts.