Swiss quarter repeating à toc virgule chatelaine watch Circa 1830

Gold granulation and gem-set chatelaine watch attributed to Moulinié Frères & Cie
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An extremely fine, very rare and large Swiss gold and gem-set granulation decorated quarter repeating à toc virgule pocket watch with chatelaine, circa 1830. Frosted gilt movement, Ø 45 mm, a standing barrel, virgule escapement with a three-arm gilt balance, flat balance spring and index regulator, repeating on the side of the case with two polished steel hammers by depressing the pendant. A gilt metal cuvette hinged to the movement ring. Matte engine-turned gold dial with a brushed chapter ring, Roman hours, an outer brushed minute track, the centre engine-turned and blued steel Breguet hands. The case is entirely decorated with graduated granulation forming scrolls and flowers set with pink faceted stones, the bezel, band, pendant and bow en suite with applied granulation. Case and movement numbered. Comes with a matching gold and gem-set granulation decorated chatelaine
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: No name
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The movement of this timepiece is unusual in being fitted with the virgule escapement, a rarely used and delicate mechanism, instead of the more usual cylinder escapement found in this type of watch.
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Granulation, a technique using tiny beads of gold, was employed, and probably invented, by the ancient Etruscans, who created jewellery which was highly sought-after throughout the Mediterranean. Most watches using this method employed a technique in which ready-to-apply gold beads were soldered onto the surface, thereby forming the desired pattern.
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Montre à toc. A ‘dumb’ repeater watch in which a hammer strikes the inside of the case to produce a muffled sound. Invented by Julian Le Roy in 1740.