Austrian gold watch with polychrome enamel scene Circa 1790

Gold open faced key wound verge watch
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A fine Austrian 14 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch with polychrome enamel scene, made by Roman, Melly & Roux in Constance, Austria at the time, late 18th century. It has a mechanical keywound movement with a traditional verge escapement and a chain and fusee system, signed Roman Melly & Roux / à Constance on the plate. The white enamel dial shows black Arabic numerals for the hours, an outer minute track with Arabic fifteen minute markers, and gold hands.
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The timepiece is housed in a decorated three body open faced case with a yellow gold reeded caseband and a round suspension bow. The bezel has an intricate, scalloped enamel border with alternating patterns of blue, white, and gold. The solid gold back cover features a large circular polychrome enamel miniature depicting a classical romantic scene with a young woman in flowing draped attire and a warrior in Roman military dress with a plumed helmet and cape against a pastoral landscape. The miniature is framed by a royal blue enamel border adorned with fine gold foliate scrolls and white floral accents.
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The watch comes with a matching gold watch chain and an ornate oval winding key decorated with polychrome champlevé enamelling on both sides. The enamel on the dial rim shows professional restoration.
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Diameter: 43 mm
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Signed: Roman Melly & Roux / á Constance
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Roman, Melly & Roux
The watchmaking company Roman, Melly & Roux was founded by Swiss artisans from Geneva and operated in Constance (Konstanz) starting in 1778, when the city was part of Austria. The firm is known for producing high quality, intricate, and artistically decorated pocket watches. The firm effectively ceased its primary operations as a high volume manufacturer in the late 18th century, with some historical records noting that the French Revolution led to its closure in 1795.