French gold, enamel and diamond-set verge watch Circa 1800

Gold verge with enamel scene The Fountain of Love
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A very fine French gold, enamel and diamond-set open faced verge pocket watch, circa 1800. Hinged gilt-brass full plate movement with a separate plate for the barrel and fusee with chain, Ø 43.5 mm, a verge escapement, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, pierced and engraved gilt-brass balance clock. White enamel dial with painted Arabic hours, outer minute divisions, an aperture for the winding at 2 o’clock and gold pierced hands. The case back with a polychrome enamel scene depicting a couple by a fountain set with rose-cut diamonds on a royal blue translucent enamel ground over engine turning, the bezel is decorated with white and blue enamel triangles and paillons. Dial signed, movement signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: Gregson à Paris
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This timepiece was probably made by Jean Gregson. Gregson was of British origin and a watchmaker to the King. He must have been considered one of the best by his contemporaries as in 1786, he was chosen to be a member of the Royal Clock Manufactory Commission. Only three other watchmakers were on the commission: Breguet, Berthoud and Lepaute.