English 22k gold pair-cased verge pocket watch Circa 1710

Open faced pocket watch by Charles Cabrier
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A fine and rare English 22K gold, pair cased, double train hour striking clock watch, circa 1710. The bezel and band pierced and engraved with graduated circles, the centre finely decorated with a chased medallion of St. George and the Dragon with a border inscribed Honi Soit Qvi Mal Y Pense, square hinge. Inner case, form, polished split bezel, the band pierced and engraved with inhabited foliage and two vignettes of rural landscapes, loose ring pendant. Gold champlevé dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and Arabic five-minute numerals, the centre with chased foliate signature cartouches. Blued steel tulip and poker hands.

Hinged gilt brass movement, full-plate, double-train with pierced and divided vase pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain three-arm steel balance, flat balance spring. Gilt brass winged cock pierced and engraved with a mask and foliage. Striking train with fixed gilt brass pierced and engraved barrel with revolving arbour, striking on a bell mounted in the back of the case, strike/silence lever in the bezel. Dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Signed: Charles Cabrier London
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The depiction of St. George and the Dragon within the motto Honi Soit Qvi Mal Y Pense is the motto of the Order of the Garter, the Oldest and Highest British Order of Chivalry, founded in 1348 by Edward III. The Order consists of the monarch, who is Sovereign of the Order, The Prince of Wales and 24 Knight Companions. The present watch would have been an extremely expensive item when new and could only have been afforded by a very rich customer. It is likely therefore that the present watch was bought or presented when the owner was installed as a Knight of the Garter. Charles Cabrier is recorded as being active between 1690 and 1726. He became free of the Clockmakers Company in 1697. His son, also named Charles, was apprenticed to him in 1719. A repoussé and enamel repeating watch by him are in the British Museum.