Magnificent English repoussé double case verge watch Circa 1750

Verge pocket watch with striking mechanism
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An extremely magnificent 18 Carat repoussé double case verge watch with striking mechanism, made by Charles Cabrier in London, England, circa 1750. The open faced 18 Carat gold double case of which the outer case is repoussé and finely pierced has an inner case which is also pierced. The white enamel dial has an outer ring with black Arabic numerals for the minutes and an inner ring with black Roman numerals for the hours and red gold hands. The original and signed dust cover is made of silver and the magnificently decorated movement has a verge escapement, a shell motif on the cock and an hour and quarter hour repeater.
Dial, dust cover and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 47.5 mm
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Weight: 100 g
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Signed: Charles Cabrier, London
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Charles Cabrier

The Cabriers were a celebrated dynasty of Huguenot watch- and clockmakers. Cabrier I settled in London after the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes (1685.) Charles Cabrier II, son of Charles I and father of Charles III, was the most prominent of the three. Cabrier II began his apprenticeship in 1719 and was a member of the Clockmakers’ Company from 1726 on and a master from 1757 until 1772. Until 1759 he had a workshop at 79 Broad Street, near Finsbury Circus; he then moved to Pig Street – which does not exist anymore – near Threadneedle Street. The watch we have here may have been a joint effort by Charles Cabrier II and his son. Baillie mentions Charles Cabrier II as a “famous maker”; Britten calls him a “celebrated maker”. The Continence of Scipio The Continence, or alternatively The Clemency of Scipio, is a historical episode told of the Roman general Scipio Africanus during his campaign in Spain during the Second Punic War. In recognition of his generous treatment of a prisoner, he was taken as one of the prime examples of mercy during warfare in Classical times. His image was further enhanced during the Renaissance, and the episode figured widely in literary and figurative arts.