French 18 carat gold high grade large verge watch Circa 1785

Pocket watch with repetition à toc et à tact
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A high grade and large verge watch with repetition “à toc et à tact”, made by the Horloger de Monsieur (watchmaker to the King’s brother) André Hessen in Paris, France, circa 1785. The extravagant case of this watch was crafted from 18 carat gold and features multicoloured gold ornaments, very fine sound openings and pink enamel with a classic, nature inspired theme, bas relief in the center of the back lid. The enamel dial features an outer minute and hour track with Arabic 5 minute – and Roman hour numerals and the original gold “poker & beetle” hands. The movement is equipped with a verge escapement, quarter hours repetition on a bell and a switchover to “silent” repetition “à toc”.
The movement is signed.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Weight: 110 g
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Signed: Hessen à Paris
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Hessen
André Hessen was Horloger de Monsieur (Watchmaker to the King’s brother). He was a highly skilled, Swedish born watchmaker who spent his most prominent years working in the French capital.
Born Anders Bengtsson in Sweden, he moved to Paris in 1767 to seek his fortune. He Gallicised his name to André Hessen to blend into the French luxury market. Operating as a master watchmaker, he gained rapid recognition for his mechanical precision. He soon supplied high end movements to elite retailers and horologists, including Daniel Vaucher and J. Cardinaux.

The outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 destroyed the aristocratic market that sustained Hessen’s business. With his primary royal patron fleeing France, Hessen permanently moved his operations back to Stockholm in 1790. In Sweden, he maintained his stellar reputation as an elite craftsman. He continued building decorated luxury timepieces and academic horological mechanisms until his death in 1805. Following his death, André Hessen’s business ceased to exist as a continuing commercial brand, as he left behind no heirs or designated business successors to maintain his workshop.