German striking and repeating watch with date and alarm Circa 1750

Large silver repoussé coach watch attributed to Josef Spiegel
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A German large silver repoussé quarter striking and repeating coach watch with date and alarm, circa 1750. The watch features a gilded full plate movement with a verge escapement. It has a pierced balance cock, intricately engraved with foliage and a grotesque mask at the neck, and a silver regulation plate. The watch contains four trains for alarm, repeater, strike, and time functions, with hour hammers striking on a bell. It includes fusee and chain mechanisms, and the interior bezel and barrels are adorned with decorative engravings and stylised pillars. The piece bears the signature of Miroir, Paris. The silver champlevé dial displays Roman numerals, an outer arcaded Arabic minute ring, a central alarm indicator disc, a date aperture above XII, and blued steel hands.
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The silver case features a repoussé chased and engraved scene of Cleopatra and Octavian, surrounded by shell and scrollwork borders. There are four apertures at the centre for winding the separate trains, and the bezels are pierced and engraved with scrolling foliage. An aperture between 6 and 7 o’clock on the bezel is for the pull repeat. The watch bears the maker’s mark I.L.B, likely representing Johann Ludwig Biller the younger, and is accompanied by a subsequently added presentation case.
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Diameter: 123 mm
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Signed: Miroir, Paris
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The movement is operational, including the striking, repeating, and alarm functions. The dial has minor light scratches, and there is rust on the hands. The case shows wear to the repousse and some tarnishing, but it remains in overall good condition.
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This coach watch, though signed by Miroir, London, originates from Germany and was likely crafted in Friedberg by watchmaker Josef Spiegel. A half quarter repeating coach watch by Spiegel is housed in the British Museum, where Spiegel has signed his surname in reverse on the movement: ‘Jo Legeips, London.’ The name Spiegel translates to ‘mirror’ in English, suggesting that the use of reversed signatures and the French word for mirror (miroir) on other watches was a playful gesture by the maker.