Very fine French gold and enamel open faced verge watch Circa 1740

Gold decorative pocket watch
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A very fine and rare French 18 carat gold and enamel open faced pocket watch, circa 1740. The gilded brass full plate movement with a verge escapement, pentagonal pillars, fusee and chain, a plain balance, flat spring with regulator and continental cock decorated with a trellis pattern. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track with Arabic five minute numerals and blued steel poker & beetle hands. The white enamelled case back with a raised gold scene, partially decorated with translucent green enamel, and surrounded by gold and engine turned blue enamel scrolls, the scene is signed Bouvier. Signed on the back plate, movement numbered.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Signed: Jn. Louis Argand
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Guillaume Bouvier is recorded as working in Paris around 1740, being one of a family specializing in the enamelling of watch cases and working in both France and Switzerland. A small group of watch cases bearing his signature are recorded and at least one signed plaque.

It is usual for this technique of overlaying gold on enamel to be attributed to the Fromery workshops in Berlin, but the existence of many German enamel boxes with French mounts would indicate that there was a flourishing production in Paris as well. This particular example is of exceptional quality and in outstanding condition.
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Comes from the Demidoff Collection.