English gold, enamel, pearl and diamond set pocket watch Circa 1800

Gold watch with verge escapement
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A rare English 18 carat gold, enamel, diamond and pearl set pocket watch, circa 1800.
A solid, hinged case, bezel with blue translucent enamel and split pearls set within gold chatons, matching outer reverse to royal blue enamel centre with diamond set circular wreath, central oval with glazed compartment with diamond border. White enamel dial, black Arabic numerals, outer minutes, winding aperture at 6 o’clock and rose cut diamond set hands. Full plate, gilt movement, engraved top plate, turned pillars, fusee barrel with verge escapement, single footed cock with diamond end stone, steel three arm balance, flat hairspring, silver regulation dial. Movement signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Signed: Rundell & Bridge  London
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Rundell & Bridge was a British jewellery firm based in London, trading under the more familiar title Rundell, Bridge and Rundell. Philip Rundell and John Bridge (1755-1834) were appointed Royal Goldsmiths, Silversmiths, Jewellers and Medallists in 1797 and held the Royal Warrant until 1843. Among their employees were the well known artists John Flaxman and Thomas Stothard, who designed and modelled silverware. From 1802, the silversmith Benjamin Smith and the designer Digby Scott directed their workshops, and in 1807, Paul Storr, the most celebrated English silversmith of the period, took charge. The Royal Goldsmiths served four monarchs: George III, George IV, William IV and Victoria. In addition, their name was attributed to the ‘Rundell tiara’, made for Princess Alexandra in 1863.