French 18 Carat gold and enamel pocket watch Circa 1870

Unique watch with cloisonné enamel crane
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A unique gold and enamel pocket watch for the Chinese market with a cloisonné enamel crane on the back lid, made by the Breguet student Charles Oudin in Paris, France, circa 1870. The numbered open faced water drop shaped (à goutte) case of this watch was crafted from 18 Carat gold, has a cloisonné enamel picture depicting a crane on the back lid which also has a very decorative cloisonné enamel floral motif on the  inside.
The attractive Louis XV style white enamel dial has a minute scale with red Arabic numerals, an hour scale with black Roman numerals and red gold Fleur de Lys hands. The movement has a fine cylinder escapement with wolf’s teeth.
The dust cover is numbered and marked “Horloger de la Marine” and the dial and dust cover are signed.
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Diameter: 31 mm
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Weight: 32 g
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Signed: Charles Oudin Bréveté Palais Royal 52 Paris
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Cloisonné

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, very probably, began as an easier imitation of cloisonné work using gems. The resulting objects can also be called cloisonné.