Swiss pocket watch studded with half pearls Circa 1790

Gold pocket watch studded with half pearls
–
An exquisite gold enamel verge pocket watch studded with half pearls “La Fontaine D’Amour”, circa 1790.
A 18K gold case, enamel dial and a  full plate movement, extra thin, chain/fusee, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance.

The back of this charming pocket watch is decorated with an exquisite polychrome enamel medallion.
A fine enamel miniature against a lavishly engine-turned background with translucent cobalt blue enameling shows a scene after the painting
“La Fontaine D’Amour” by Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806)
–
Diameter: 50 mm
–
Weight: 71 g.
–
Signed: Chevalier & Comp. à Gèneve
–
The company Chevalier & Cie or Chevalier & Compagnie was listed in the records of Geneva in the 1790s. We cannot say yet whether Jacob Chevalier – who worked in Geneva during the second half of the 18th century, on his own at first and later with Mathey – is in any way connected to Chevalier & Cie but looking at the chronology, it is quite possible that Chevalier & Mathey (1786-1792) was the forerunner of this company.