Magnificent Swiss mirror image pair of gold watches Circa 1815

Enamel attributed to Jean-Abraham Lissignol
–
An extraordinarily fine, magnificent and historically important, large Swiss mirror image pair of gold, enamel and pearl set open faced quarter repeating cylinder pocket watches. Made circa 1815 for presentation in the name of King George III to the Chinese Emperor Jiaqing in 1816. Unusual three tone, gilt brass, mirror polished steel and blued steel movement, Lépine type calibre, brass plate and going barrel finely engraved with scrolling foliage, mirror polished steel bridges and cocks, to the surfaces of which have applied finely pierced and chased blued steel foliate decoration, brass pivot bushes, jeweled cylinder escapement with steel escape wheel, three armed balance with polished steel rim, flat balance spring, index regulator, repeating with two hammers on two square section polished steel gongs activated by depressing the pendant. Hinged gold rimmed glazed cuvette to view the movement. White enamel dial with bold Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds and original blued steel lozenge hands. Cases by Freres Oltramare (circa 1810/1811 and 1826), master mark FO, the full width of the band entirely set with large split pearls giving a bowed effect, bezel, pendant and bow entirely set with split pearls, extremely fine painted on enamel scene depicting Affection & Innocence attributed to Jean-Abraham Lissignol (1749-1819) after an engraving by Francesco Bartolozzi, in mirror image to the second watch, large split pearl set border. Cases numbered. Accompanied by the original morocco fitted presentation case, the lining embossed with the arms of King George III and a gold and painted on enamel key.
–
Diameter: 62 mm
–
Signed: No name
–
Jean Abraham Lissignol was a Swiss painter, revolutionary and one of the finest enamellers of his time. He was born in Geneva on May 7th, 1749 and died in Plainpalais on June 28th, 1819. He was the pupil of Jean-Marc Roux and later became his partner. Specialized in snuff boxes and watch cases, he worked for Jaquet-Droz & Leschot, the Rochat Brothers and John Rich.