English Repoussé watch with half hour/hour self-strike Circa 1740

Gold open faced pocket watch by James Markwick II
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An English, very fine, heavy Repoussé verge pocket watch with half hour/hour self strike and shagreen box, circa 1740. 22K gold case with chased and engraved back side, the centre decorated with two birds, flowers and a vase in high relief, pierced foliate border, four cartouches with animal pattern: raptor, lion, stork and whale; pierced bezel, large lateral hinge, rear bell and lever N/S to set strike/not strike for striking train. Signed gold Champlevé dial with inlaid radial Roman numerals, the centre engraved with rocailles, mascaron, and paste-set pierced hands. Full plate movement, keywind, applied florally engraved ornaments, fire gilt, signed, chain/fusee, florally engraved barrel for strike mechanism, one hammer, Egyptian movement pillars, verge escapement, three-arm steel balance, very finely florally engraved, pierced balance cock with mascaron, large chatoned diamond endstone on balance.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Weight: 169 g
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Signed: Markwick
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James Markwick Jr. was the son of James Markwick and was found to be free of the guild in 1692 due to paternal wealth; he was an excellent watchmaker and 1720 guild master. He was one of the first to use jewels. Markwick Jr. later partnered with his son-in-law Robert Markham, who then operated under the name Markwick-Markhamcontinued. Markwick Markham later became known for watches intended for the Turkish market. At the end of the century, Markham himself and his successor began to link the names of other watchmakers with their goods for the East market. The watchmakers in question were Francis Perigal, Peter Upjohn, H. Story, Borrel, John Johnson, Louis Recordon, and Charles Dupont – each a respected watchmaker with his production.