Attractive French gold and enamel watch with original key Circa 1780

Gold and enamel watch by Vauchez
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A very attractive French 18 carat gold and enamel open faced verge pocket watch with gold chain and corresponding gold enamel winding key, circa 1780. Full plate movement, chain and fusee, three arm brass balance.
White enamel dial with Roman hours and outer minute track, gold poker and beetle hands.
The back of the case is guilloched and enamelled in a translucent mauve colour, bordered by a white floral border that is repeated on the front. The edge is decorated on both sides with a golden cord. There is a white daisy flower in the middle. The middle part of the case consists of enamelled bands between which strings of pearls are threaded, imitating the effect of a wrapping band. Push button on top to open the spring loaded front.
Movement signed and numbered. Comes with chain and corresponding key In excellent condition.
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Weight: 59 g. with chain and key, watch 50 gr.
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Signed: Vauchez à Paris
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A number of pocket watches signed Vauchez à Paris are owned by important museums such as the Louvre in Paris.
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The Vaucher (or Vauchez) family originally came from Fleurier, Switzerland, and produced such a large number of skilled watchmakers that attributing the individual watches to their maker is very difficult. The best known was Daniel-François Vauchez. He was born in Fleurier in 1716, was a judicial clerk and married with nine children. Vauchez had to leave the country in 1760 and moved to Paris, where he set himself up as a watchmaker. His wife and children remained in Fleurier for a time but eventually joined him in Paris. Daniel-François had a workshop in the Rue St-Pierre-aux-Boeufs in Paris from 1769 to 1790. He signed his timepieces ‘Vauchez à Paris’ and ‘Vauchez en la Cité’. Six of his nine children also became watchmakers. Vauchez died around 1790 in Paris and his sons continued the business as Fréres Vaucher.
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Reference 0011000