Magnificent English gold watch for the Chinese market Circa 1820

Gold and enamel duplex pocket watch
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A magnificent English 18 carat gold, champlevé and painted on enamel pocket watch, circa 1820. Made for the Chinese market. The enamel in the manner of Claude Vernet (1714-1789), attributed to Jean-Louis Richter (1766-1841), Geneva. An Empire case, the hinged back cover decorated with a very finely painted enamel view in the manner of Claude Vernet of sheep and cattle drovers in a boat. In the foreground a calm harbour landscape with ships and mountains in the distance.
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The bezel, border, band, pendant and bow are decorated with red, blue and white champlevé enamel repeated patterns, inner serpentine cover edges are similarly decorated. Hinged and sprung gold cuvette attached to the movement ring and decorated with a blue and white champlevé enamel geometric pattern. White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds and gold heart hands. A frosted gilt movement, finely foliate engraved, standing barrel, duplex escapement, large flat rim five arm polished steel balance, index regulator. Movement signed case with partial English marks for 18 carat gold.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Signed: Ilbery  London
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William Ilbery, circa 1760-1839, was active in London from 1780 in Goswell Street, he moved to Duncan Terrace towards the end of the 18th century. After James Cox in London and Jaquet-Droz in Switzerland, he also specialized in producing luxury watches for the Chinese market. His early production was very much in the English style, featuring a full plate movement and an English type single wheel duplex escapement. However, for his highest-quality watches, he incorporated a spring detent escapement. Later, the watch movements he produced were much inspired by the Lépine calibre with a free-standing barrel, as were Jaquet-Droz’s Swiss production signed in London and that of William Anthony, who worked in London.
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The cases of his watches were sumptuously decorated by the best Genevan enamellers, such as Jean-Francois-Victor Dupont, who usually signed his work, and Jean-Louis Richter, who signed rarely. He organized the production in Switzerland, mainly in Fleurier, of profusely engraved movements for the Asian market. He was followed in this by makers such as Bovet and Juvet who also worked in Fleurier (Val de Travers). Ilbery can therefore be considered one of the most representative makers of ‘Chinese’ watches. He seems to have maintained close contacts with the continental trade since a watch signed ‘Ilbery Paris’ is known while Ilbery & Son are recorded in London and Fleurier, as well as in Canton.