English 22K gold verge in the 17th century style Circa 1780

Gold and enamel verge pendant watch
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A fine English 22K gold and enamel open faced verge pendant watch in the style of the 17th century, circa 1780. A curved band with six cartouches representing scenes from the life of Christ and four more vignettes on the inside, the case back painted on enamel with The adoration of the magi taken from an engraving by Raphael Sadeler I after Jacopo Da Ponte, who was also called Jacopo Bassano, on the inside of the back the apparition of the risen Christ, polished gold bezel, gold pendant and bow.
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White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with large Arabic five-minute numerals and pierced Louis XV’s hands. A hinged custom-made gilt-brass full plate movement with square baluster pillars, fusée and chain for the going train, verge escapement, plain three-arm brass balance, blued steel balance spring, single-footed gilded cock pierced and engraved, diamond end stone, rack and pinion regulation with silver plate. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: John Pyke London
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Restored hard enamel on the case. The dial with some chips around the winding aperture.
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The gold body of the case of the present watch is possibly a 17th-century original as it was common practice in the 18th century to reuse and refurbish early watch cases. The enamel however is of a later date. All other elements of this watch would have been added in the late 18th century.
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Jacopo Bassano or Jacopo da Ponte was born in Bassano del Grappa circa 1510 and also died there on February 13th, 1592. He was an Italian painter who was mainly active in the Republic of Venice. His surname refers to his place of birth. His father Francesco Bassano the Elder was also a painter. Jacopo adopted part of his style and mainly painted animals, farms and landscapes. He was initially trained in his father’s studio, later in that of Bonifacio Veneziano. After working in Venice and other Italian cities, he founded a studio in Bassano with his four sons: Francesco the Younger, Girolamo, Giovanni Battista and Leandro. Notable works by Jacopo Bassano include Jacob’s Return to Canaan, Acteon and the Nymphs, and The Last Supper.
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Raphael Sadeler I was an engraver (printmaker), print dealer and engraver to the court. He was born in 1561 in Antwerp and died in 1632 in Munich.