Swiss 14K gold, enamel and stone set keyless watch Circa 1885

Gold miniature pocket watch
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A fine Swiss 14 carat gold, enamel and stone set hunting cased keyless pocket watch made by Borel Fils & Cie in the 1880s. The frosted gilt bridge caliber movement with
16 jewels, a cylinder escapement, three arm balance and blued steel Breguet balance spring. Porcelain dial with painted Arabic hour numerals, gold outer minute dots and gilt Louis XV hands. A solid case with an engraved band, the front with a 10 stone set flower decoration and polychrome enamel flower motif, the hinged back decorated to match and a further hinged gold cuvette. Cuvette and dial signed, movement numbered.
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Diameter: 26 mm
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Thickness: 9 mm
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Signed: Borel Fils & Cie
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The Borel Fils & Cie watch company was established in 1856 in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, by watchmaker Jules Borel.
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In 1859, along with his brother-in-law, Paul Courvoisier, Borel established the Borel-Courvoisier watch company. They won several awards in the late 19th century, including first place in the 1866 Neuchâtel Observatory timing accuracy competition.
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In 1898, Jules’ son, Ernest Borel, took over the company and he formally changed the name to Ernest Borel & Cie the following year. Ernest Borel was the head of the company until 1936, when his son, Jean-Louis Borel, succeeded him as manager. In 1975, the company was bought by the firm Aubry Frère S.A. It was sold to a Hong Kong-based company in 1989.