Heavy English gold pair cased verge pocket watch Circa 1710

Gold verge open faced watch by Jonathan Lowndes
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A beautiful and heavy English pair cased verge pocket watch from London, featuring a quarter repeater, and a fine repoussé outer case depicting Aktaion surprising Artemis while bathing, circa 1710. The clock watch has two cases: an outer case made of 20k gold with repoussé decoration and a case maker’s punch mark IW, and an inner case made of 20k gold with a rear bell. The gold champlevé dial features inlaid radial Roman hour markers, a beautifully chased and engraved centre with cartouches and signature, and elegant blued Poker & Beetle hands. It also has a full plate movement with chain/fusee, two barrels, two hammers, and a three-arm steel balance.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 179 g
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Signed: Jonathan Lowndes London
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The remarkably well-preserved outer case depicts the hunter Aktaion transforming into a stag through the repoussé technique, as a result of Artemis’ punishment for spying on her while she was bathing. Shortly after, Aktaion was attacked and killed by his hounds. The intricately decorated edge features pierced designs, including tendrils, birds of prey, and medallions adorned with floral motifs. The inner golden case is similarly ornate, with openwork edges adorned with foliage, birds, two-winged putti, and cartouches depicting landscape scenes.
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Jonathan Lowndes, At the Dyal in Pall Mall, a famous and celebrated maker, was a member of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in London from 1680 to 1710, a contemporary of his even better-known colleagues Tompion and Quare. Many large clocks have survived from him, but reports of pocket watches are sparse.