French 18k gold open faced lever pendant watch Circa 1910

Gold decorated lever by A. Golay-Leresche & Fils
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A fine French 18 carat gold open faced keyless lever pendant watch, circa 1910. Rhodium-plated movement, Geneva Striping decoration, 15 jewels, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring. Cuvette signed, case numbered. Gold hinged cuvette. Gold dial with applied fancy gold numerals and round indexes, concentric floral and leaf decoration, original blued steel cathedral hands. Solid case, entirely hands engraved with a floral and leaf motif, engraving to the centre at the back depicting a griffin.  Accompanied by a fitted travelling box.
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Diameter: 27 mm
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Thickness: 10 mm
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Signed: Golay Fils & Stahl – A. Golay-Leresche & Fils Succrs – Genève Rue de la Paix Paris

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The griffin is a legendary creature with the body and head of a lion and often the wings of an eagle.
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A. Golay-Leresche was founded in 1837 and very quickly became one of Geneva’s leading horological companies. When Henri Ekegrén came to Geneva in 1847 he began his career with Golay-Leresche, where he worked until 1857. The company won a Silver Medal at the 1878 Paris Universal Exhibition, along with many other prizes. It was located Quai des Bergues, 31, next to the Hotel de Bergues. In 1857, the firm passed into the hands of the founder’s son, who made complicated watches for both men and women and began exporting the firm’s creations, primarily to the United States. At the beginning of the 20th century, the company was sold to Stahl, hence the current name of Golay Fils & Stahl.