Unusual English gold quarter repeating pocket watch Circa 1787

Gold open faced watch with centre seconds by Josiah Jessop
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An unusually large English 18K gold pair cased, centre seconds, quarter repeating pocket watch with stop feature, circa 1787. This watch features a hinged, frosted gilt full plate movement with cylindrical pillars. It includes a fusee and chain mechanism equipped with Harrison’s maintaining power, a cylinder escapement, and a steel balance with a flat balance spring. The design also consists of a large diamond endstone, a single footed cock, and jeweled balance and escapement wheels. A stop lever is positioned at the 8 o’clock mark, and the watch has a repeating function that sounds a bell, which can be activated by pressing the pendant.
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The eccentric white enamel dial features radial Roman numerals with outer minute divisions marked with five minute Arabic numerals, and gold beetle and poker hands. The outer seconds dial indicates fifths of a second and Arabic numerals for five second intervals. The case bears London hallmarks from 1787-88. The outer case is polished and has a release catch. The inner case is adorned with engravings of flowers and foliage and is pierced for sound. The centre is engraved with a rosette and includes a gilt dust cap. The dial, movement, and dust cap are all signed.
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Diameter: 64 mm
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Signed: Jessop, London
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Jessop, Josiah, English watchmaker
Josiah Jessop worked in London from about 1780 to 1794, as official records indicate; his workshop was located at 38 Southampton Street, Covent Garden. Some of his pieces are now in museums: a clock with a central second, formerly part of the Ilbert collection, is in the British Museum; a gold enamel clock was once part of the Sternberger collection, and a third clock is housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. In the collection of the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers, there is a clock featuring a sapphire cylinder.