Splendid English gold watch for the Chinese market Circa 1820

Gold, enamel, and pearl duplex watch
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A splendid English 18 carat gold, champlevé enamel, painted-on enamel and pearl-set pocket watch, circa 1820. With centre second and duplex escapement, made for the Chinese market. The enamel in the manner of Claude Vernet (1714-1789), is attributed to Jean-Louis Richter (1766-1841). A spring-loaded back cover is very finely painted on enamel with a very finely painted on enamel view in the manner of Claude Vernet of sheep and cattle. A fisherman in the foreground in a calm harbour landscape with ships and mountains in the distance, a tree lavishly enhanced with half pearls forming a portal.
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Champlevé enamel band, pendant and bow forming foliate and geometrical patterns. Scalloped edges decorated with champlevé enamel in a foliate pattern, gold hinged cuvette decorated with repeated patterns. White enamel dial, Roman numerals, outer minute track, centre seconds and gold heart hands. Gilt brass, fully engraved movement Chinese calibre, free-standing barrel, ruby duplex escapement, plain steel three-arm balance, flat balance spring, diamond endstone. Signed on the movement.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Thickness: 21 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.