Rare English 18K gold chronometer with power reserve Circa 1875

Gold keyless pocket chronometer 
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A fine and rare English 18 carat gold open faced keyless pocket chronometer with power reserve indicator made by James McCabe in London, circa 1875. Gilded ½ movement with a spring detent escapement, free sprung bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel helical spring, diamond endstone, fusee and chain and a setting square for hand setting and winding. Silver dial with Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock, subsidiary seconds at 6 and gold Fleur de Lys hands. The plain case with a handset button in the band and a polished gold cuvette. Case, cuvette and pendant with maker’s mark AS for Alfred Stram, dial and movement signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Signed: Jas McCabe Royal Exchange London
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The style of this watch’s dial appears to be heavily influenced by the marine chronometers made by the McCabes, with a horizontally satin finished dial and subsidiary dials for the power reserve indication and auxiliary seconds. On the movement’s backplate are winding and hand setting squares, which can be used when the movement is out of its case or if the keyless mechanism encounters a problem.
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The name James McCabe and the House of McCabe are part of a watchmaking dynasty that lasted for over a century. It was renowned for the enormous variety of its designs, and the creativity and prestige of its manufacture. James and his descendants would become one of Britain’s most prolific watchmakers with over 50.000 watches, 7000 clocks and 500 marine chronometers produced in the company’s 100 year history.
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James McCabe was born in 1748 in the town of Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland, into a family of watchmakers. His grandfather and father, Patrick McCabe, were both skilled horologists.
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Moving to Belfast, James apprenticed under his brother, Thomas, before setting up a workshop in London in 1775, in the Bells Building on Fleet Street, and subsequently, Cheapside and 97 Royal Exchange. His reputation quickly grew, he gained recognition as one of the leading watch and chronometer makers of his era. His timepieces were admired for their elegance, mechanical precision and durability, earning him prestigious commissions from royalty, nobility and prominent merchants. Among notable owners of his timepieces were Lord Horatio Nelson and the first President of the United States, George Washington. McCabe further became a respected member of the Clockmakers’ Company.
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After James’ passing in 1811, his sons continued the business, maintaining the company’s reputation for high quality horology throughout the 19th century.