German 18 carat gold box with concealed watch Circa 1750

Gold box with watch by an important Friedrich watchmaker
–
A German attractive and heavy gold box with concealed watch, made by an important Friedberg watchmaker, circa 1750.
The edges of this cartouche-shaped little box are finely moulded, the top part has two hinged covers. A curved rim opens the larger lid that holds the watch, which is revealed when the second lid opens. The Champlevé dial has inlaid radial Roman hours and Arabic minutes; the designation “London” sits in the centre of a chased plate, flanked by two rampant lions and surrounded by volutes and foliage scrolls.
An 18 carat gold, enamel, amethysts and diamonds case, enamel dial,   bridge movement, keywind, cylinder escapement, brass ring balance
–
Diameter: 66 x 51 x 27 mm
–
Weight: 133 g
–
Signed:  “Elrhöw F(ecit), London” (Joseph Wöhrle, Friedberg)
–
The watch was produced in Friedberg. Joseph Wöhrle, however, spelled his name backwards (Elrhöw) and added the designation “London” to his signature like an English maker would, to achieve a higher sales price.
–
In addition to Wöhrle, there were another 24 makers in Friedberg at the time whose names (spelled backwards) can be found with a fake designation such as London, Paris or Augsburg.
–
Watchmaker Joseph Wöhrle was a native of Augsburg. In 1721 he married and moved to Friedberg, where he died in 1761. He was much appreciated by the people of Friedberg, which is mentioned in the records of March 3, 1731.
The local museum of Friedberg owns a coach watch made by Joseph Wöhrle