Pocket Watch Case Hallmarks ID Help Please

[R4RJB]

I would be grateful if anyone could help me identify the "RA" makers mark on the case of this Brook & Son pocket watch. I am also confused by the date letter. I looks like it corresponds to London 1808 although Brook & Son were registered between 1891 until 1941 and were based at 87 George St, Edinburgh. There is a possibility that the watch was made to fit an older case but that doesn't seem plausible. It's more likely that I've got the date letter year wrong.
Thanks in advance.
Richard

[silvermakersmarks]

The date is 1888. If it was 1808 the leopard's head would be crowned. Note that the punch shapes for gold differed from those for silver and all 18carat gold marks have been in square or rectangular punches with cut corners since the standard was introduced in 1798.

The most likely candidate for the maker, RB, is Richard Macaire Ball who, as a specialist watch case maker, would have supplied gold and silver watch cases to watchmakers throughout the country.

The Assay Office registration dates for Brook & Son do not necessarily bear any comparison to their working dates as watchmakers.

Phil

[R4RJB]

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply. I used an online hallmark wizard which gave the year as 1808 - I won't be relying on that again! It does seem likely that Richard Macaire Ball could have been the case maker.
Regards,
Richard