French gold and enamel repeating cylinder watch Circa 1820

Gold quarter repeater in unusual enamel case
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An exceptional French 18-carat gold and enamel open faced quarter repeating Lépine watch, circa 1820.
Very fine calibre, ruby cylinder escapement, repeating the hours and quarters. Engine-turned silver dial with Roman radial hours, outer minutes track and pink gold hands. The case cloisonné enamelled, dome marked Répétition Lépine.
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Diameter: 45 mm
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Weight: 56 g
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Signed: No name
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The enamel decoration of this rare watch is very unusual. The fan is worked in two-coloured cloisonné enamel; the background was originally a dark blue starry sky. Each fan segment ended with a gold star. Unfortunately, this detail has not been considered during the restoration. Despite the restoration, this is a very fine and rare pocket watch.
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Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects with coloured material held in place or separated by metal strips or wire, normally of gold. In recent centuries, vitreous enamel has been used, but inlays of cut gemstones, glass and other materials were also used during older periods. Indeed, cloisonné enamel probably began as an easier imitation of cloisonné work using gems.