French 18K gold and enamel verge pocket watch Circa 1780

Gold open faced pocket watch
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Very fine French 18K gold, enamel, gem and pearl-set open faced verge pocket watch, circa 1780. Signed verge movement.
The case back with a very fine polychrome enamel painting depicting a classical scene surrounded by gems and half pearls, the front bezel also set with split pearls and gemstones. Signed and very well preserved white enamel dial with Roman hours and Arabic five-minute numerals, extraordinary original hands decorated to match the case with original gem and half pearl setting. Accompanied by a filigree gold chain with two antique gold keys decorated with coral.
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Diameter: 41 mm
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Weight: 46 g
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Signed: Vauchez A Paris
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This verge watch is thought to be in completely original condition, as it is rarely found today.
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Daniel Vaucher was born in Fleurier and moved to Paris in 1760, where he became a master watchmaker. His wife and six children stayed in Fleurier and came to Paris later. Jonas-Frederic Vaucher, Jean-Henri-David Vaucher, François Vaucher, Jean-Jacques Vaucher, Samuel Vaucher and daughter Isabelle-Salome Vaucher became watchmakers too. Outstanding watches of this family were mostly signed with ‘Vauchez en la Cite’. The ‘z’ could be an ‘r.