English 18k minute repeating chronograph Circa 1877

Very fine gold hunting cased lever minute repeating chronograph watch
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A very fine gold English hunting cased keyless lever minute repeating chronograph watch, circa 1877, gilded frosted three-quarter plate movement, ratchet tooth lever escapement, blued steel helical spring, bimetallic compensation balance, decoratively engraved balance cock, diamond endstone, polished steel chronograph work visible to the backplate, two polished hammers repeating on coiled gongs, signed Hunt and Roskell, 156 New Bond Street, London.
White enamel dial, Roman numerals, two sunken subsidiary dials for constant seconds and 30-minute register, outer ring for minutes/chronograph seconds, signed Hunt and Roskell, London.
Gold case, plain polished covers, gold hand-set button with olivette, chronograph pusher and recessed repeating slide to the band, case, cuvette, pendant and bow with 18ct gold hallmarks, with maker’s mark HW incuse for Henry Webb.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Signed: Hunt and Roskell 156 New Bond Street, London
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This is an especially fine repeating chronograph watch which was retailed by Hunt and Roskell, an important retailer of the Victorian era. Unusually, the lever escapement has been fitted with a blued steel helical spring – a feature more generally found on watches with detent escapements. The lever itself is at right angles in the normal manner, however, it is beautifully finished and the lever is with a particularly long arm and counterpoised.