English silver coach watch with polychrome enamel Circa 1855-1856

Silver coach watch with polychrome enamel painted dial
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An amusing English silver pair-cased verge coach watch with chain, circa 1855-1856.
Gilded brass full plate movement, fusee and chain, verge escapement, polished steel monometallic balance, blued steel flat hairspring, a gilded pierced and engraved English cock. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track and spade hands, a central polychrome enamel scene showing a four-horse mailcoach with at least six passengers, the coachman and the portal guard in an English countryside landscape. Round-shaped cases with hinged backs, key-winding. Accompanied by a wooden and brass travelling box and a long, heavy silver watch chain.
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Diameter: 73 mm
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Dimensions travelling box: 110 x 114 x 36 mm
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Signed: No name
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Painted dials depicting pastoral and usually idealized countryside views became fashionable in the second half of the 18th century. Almost exclusively found on provincially made watches. The popularity of painted dials of this type ensured their continuing production well into the 19th century. The scenes often suggest a witty narrative, in this instance, the viewer is encouraged to wonder that the haymakers are only in a hurry since their working day is over, and they are doubtless heading for the pub. In truth, life had become increasingly hard for labourers during the period, with the removal of grain import controls and duties.