Swiss 18 carat gold minute repeating verge watch Circa 1815

Gold open faced repeater by Pierre Rigaud
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A fine, attractive Swiss 18 carat gold open faced minute repeating verge pocket watch, circa 1815. Glazed full plate movement, key wind, applied strike mechanism, verge escapement, three arm ring balance. White enamel dial with Arabic hours and outer minute divisions. Plain case, reeded band.
Dial signed.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 124 g
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Signed: Pre Rigaud à Genève
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The minute repeater feature is due to its highly complex design, very unusual to appear in a watch dating from the 1820’s.
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Jean-Pierre Rigaud was born in July 1750 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was the son of watchmaker Lazare Rigaud (1716-1785) and his wife Elisabeth Aubert (circa 1729-1789). In 1775 Rigaud married Marie de Choudens (1751-1828), the daughter of maker Jacques de Choudens (1728-1801). He was appointed maker to the Russian court and henceforth signed his timepieces Pierre Rigaud. He was also mayor of Dardagny from circa 1818 to 1820, which was a small town 11 kilometres to the west of Geneva near the French border. Jean-Pierre Rigaud died at the age of 69 on Saturday, January 11th, 1820 in Dardagny. A pocket watch by Rigaud resides in the Château de Versailles.