French 18 carat gold and enamel early verge watch Circa 1750

Gold, enamel and stone set pocket watch
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An unusual early quarter repeating à toc pocket watch with diamond setting and original gold key made by François Ageron in Paris, France, circa 1750. The numbered Louis XV case was crafted from 18 carat three colour gold, has a gemstone set front bezel, features a translucent blue enamelled cartouche surrounded by stone setting on the back with an applied gold, stone set aristocratic monogram and a crown above, it bears maker’s mark ALP. The white enamel dial has Roman hours, an outer minute track, outermost Arabic five minute numerals, an original hour hand and a later minute hand. The movement is equipped with a verge escapement.
The dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 42 mm
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Weight: 68 g
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Signed: Ageron à Paris
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Ageron
François Ageron was a prominent 18^th century Parisian horologist, widely regarded as one of the most significant clockmakers of his era. He became a master clockmaker on July 17, 1741. Throughout his career, he ran workshops at several prestigious locations in Paris. He ceased working in the early 1780s, and his business was sold on May 31, 1784.
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Polonceau
The casemaker who used the mark ALP (often seen as a small stamp or punch) was Antoine-Louis Polonceau, a prominent Parisian watch case maker active during the 18th century.
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In the context of François Ageron, Polonceau was one of the specialized craftsmen frequently commissioned to create high quality gold and silver cases for Ageron’s complex movements.