George Graham. A very fine and rare 18K gold key wind repeating pair case pocket watch with repousse decoration London Hallmark for 1718-9Offered from the T P Camerer Cuss CollectionGeorge Graham. A very fine and rare 18K gold key wind repeating pair case pocket watch with repousse decorationDate: London Hallmark for 1718-9Movement: Finely engraved gilt full plate fusee verge, pierced and engraved winged balance cock with engraved angels head, diamond end stone, silver regulation, two hammers striking on a bell secured by 1 screw to the inner case, flat steel arm for dumb repeating protrudes between 5 and 6, round baluster pillars, No.445Dial: Later 18th century white enamel, black Arabic numerals, black outer minute track with 5 minute markers, gold beetle and poker handsCase: Finely pierced and engraved inner case decorated with scrolling foliage and birds, snakes and dolphin heads, 'MP' monogram, pierced and engraved outer case with repousse depicting Hercules being led, possibly by Hermes, to Cerberus with four embossed shells to the quarters depicting busts of classical figures, stirrup bow, numbered 445 beneath pendant, to inner bezel edge of outer case and to inside back of inner case, signed inner cap scratch numbered 445 insideSigned: Movement and cap signed Geo Graham, inner case stamped 'WS' for William SherwoodSize: Inner 43mm, outer 51mm Accompaniments: 1951 'George Graham Bi-Centenary Exhibition' catalogue, 'London Calling' newspaper clipping from February 21, 1952 with the current lot illustratedGeorge Graham was born in 1673. He was lauded in the world of Horology and worked for Thomas Tompion, both of whom are buried in Westminster Abbey. He became a Freeman in the Clockmakers' Company in 1695 and became a master in 1722. The outer case of the present watch is remarkably well preserved with the fine details still clearly visible and is one of the earliest recorded fully developed scenes known for Graham. This is a fine example of the watchmaking art and the art of the goldsmith which by such a maker is rarely seen on the market.The current lot features a finely produced repousse outer case depicting Hercules being led by the hand by a figure in classical armour. With the inclusion of three dog heads just entering the scene on the left it can be assumed that this is taken from Hercules Twelfth Labour where he was sent by Eurystheus, King of Tiryns, to bring Cerberus back from the underworld. Although the second figure does not bear any of the usual distinguishing figures of Hermes it is possible that it is he who is represented leading Hercules as he was the normal guide of the underworld. Provenance:Paul E Schweder Collection Christies, London, 7 December 1944, Lot 21T P Camerer Cuss CollectionIllustrated:F J Britten, Old Clocks and Watches and their Makers, 1st (1899) 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th editionsT P Camerer Cuss, The Story of Watches, MacGibbon & Kee, 1952, plate 40T P Camerer Cuss, The Country Life Book of Watches, Country Life, 1967, plate 45T P & T A Camerer Cuss, The Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, AC C 1976, plate 51 and colour plate 5Exhibited:George Graham Bi-Centenary Exhibition, Royal Society of Arts, November 1951, (watches exhibit 4)