Rare and amusing French gold enamelled pocket watch Circa 1760

Gold open faced verge watch
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A very fine and rare, amusing French 18 carat gold and enamel pocket watch, circa 1760. A Louis XV case, the bezel chased with a repeated bead and reel pattern, the back cover decorated with a finely painted enamel scene of a monk arriving at the monastery with a large sheaf of wheat on his back, he is greeted by two brothers at the door, concealed within the wheatsheaf is a young lady, her face and blue shoes peeping out. White enamel dial with Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, outermost Arabic five minute numerals and finely pierced gold Louis XV hands. Gilded brass full plate movement with hexagonal baluster pillars, fusee and chain, a verge escapement, micrometric potence adjustment, finely pierced and foliate chased continental balance cock with polished steel endplate and large silvered regulation dial. Movement signed.
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Diameter: 44 mm
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Signed: Baillon  Paris
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This is a fine example of the high quality enamelled watches Baillon is renowned for. This particular scene could be described as semi erotic and is certainly suggestive and amusing to contemplate.
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Jean-Baptiste III Albert Baillon (de Fontenay) was one of the most skilled and innovative watchmakers of his day. As one of the most important watchmakers of the 18th century, he was no doubt the most famous member of an important horological dynasty. His father, Jean-Baptiste II, a Parisian maître and his grandfather, Jean-Baptiste I from Rouen, were both clock and watchmakers, as was his own son, Jean-Baptiste IV.
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His success was largely due to his ability to organize a vast and thriving private factory in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, which was unique in the history of 18th century horology. It remained in use until 1765, when Baillon closed it. Renowned horologist Ferdinand Berthoud was impressed by its scale and the quality of the pieces produced.
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Baillon supplied the most illustrious clientele, not least the French and Spanish royal family, the Garde-Meuble de la Couronne, as well as distinguished members of the Court and the cream of Parisian society.
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He was received as a master watchmaker in 1727. In 1738, he secured his first important appointment as Valet de Chambre-Horloger Ordinaire de la Reine (Maria Leczinska, wife of Lodewijk XV). Sometime before 1748, he was made Premier Valet de Chambre de la Reine and in 1770, Premier Valet de Chambre and Valet de Chambre-Horloger Ordinaire de la Dauphine Marie-Antoinette. By 1738, he was established, appropriately, in the Place Dauphine, and after 1751 in the Rue Dauphine.
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Baillon used only the finest cases and dials. The latter were supplied by Antoine-Nicolas Martinière and Chaillou, while his cases were supplied by Jean-Baptiste Osmond, Balthazar Lieutaud, the Caffiéris, Vandernasse, Edmé Roy and especially Jean-Joseph de Saint-Germain.
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He achieved almost unprecedented success and became the richest watchmaker in Europe. At the time of his death on April 8th, 1772, his fortune was valued at 384,000 livres. His collection of fine and decorative arts was auctioned on June 16th, 1772, while his remaining stock, valued at 55,970 livres, was offered for sale on February 23rd, 1773. The sale included 126 finished watches, totalling 31,174 livres and 127 finished watch movements at 8,732 livres. His clocks, with a total value of 14,618 livres, included 86 clocks, 20 clock movements, seven marquetry clock cases, one porcelain clock case and eight bronze cases.
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Today, one can admire Baillon’s work in some of the world’s most prestigious collections in Paris, Toulouse, Brussels, Florence, London and New York.