English watch with patented quarter repeater Circa 1832

Gold watch with patented quarter repeating mechanism
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An  English unusual gold watch with J.A. Berrollas patented quarter repeating mechanism, circa 1832, gilded full plate movement, rack lever escapement, decoratively engraved balance cock marked Patent, flat steel three arm balance, diamond end stone, cap in the pendant on a worm, striking on a gong, signed Robt. Roskell, Liverpool. Gold dial, decoratively engine turned center, chapter ring polished Roman numerals against a matte stippled ground, outer minute ring, blued steel serpentine hands.
Rose gold engine turned case, ribbed band, hinged back opening to reveal cuvette with winding aperture and engraved: Robt. Roskell’s Patent Repeater, Liverpool, the pendant cap striking hours when turned left and quarters when turned right, case back and cuvette with Chester 18 Carat gold and with incuse case maker’s mark T.H for Thomas Helsby, both numbered.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: Robt. Roskell, Liverpool

This watch incorporates Joseph Berrollas’ patent (no. 3174, October 31st, 1808) for an unusual form of repeating work. Few watches are known with Berrollas’ system and it would appear that it was not widely taken up. The cap in the pendant is on a worm: turned clockwise it will wind outwards striking the hours on a gong, anticlockwise it will return to the case striking the quarters.

Robert Roskell was active from 1798 and worked in both London and Liverpool. He is especially well-known for the quality of his rack lever watches and later for watches with Massey’s lever escapements.