French 18 carat gold and enamel cylinder watch Circa 1840

Gold museum quality pocket watch
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A significant, museum quality quarter repeating pocket watch made for the Chinese market by Fabre successeur de Lépine in Paris, France, circa 1840. This watch features an 18 carat gold case with an engine turned band and fantastically preserved polychrome enamel painting on the back depicting the Emperor of China in embroidered robes and a hat with peacock feathers, based on an illustration by Adolphe François Pannemaker. The very fine movement is fitted with a cylinder escapement and a visible striking mechanism that repeats the hours and quarters.
The dial and cuvette are signed.
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Diameter: 61 mm
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Weight: 145 g
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Signed: L’épine
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This exceptionally valuable and important watch was made in Paris around 1840 for the Chinese market, likely even for the Chinese emperor. It is in outstanding condition, almost as good as new, with only minimal visible scratches in the enamel.
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Adolphe François Pannemaker
Adolphe François Pannemaker, 1822-1900, was a prominent Belgian wood engraver and illustrator who achieved major renown in 19th century France. He made a hand coloured woodcut illustration of the Emperor of China seated on his throne, wearing embroidered robes and a hat adorned with a peacock feather.
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The work is a well known 19th century engraving by the artist Mercier after an illustration by Pannemaker.