French 18K gold and painted enamel pocket watch Circa 1780

Gold open faced key winding verge watch
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A fine French 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch with a central enamel scene on the reverse made by Marceau in Loroux Bottereau, circa 1780. This watch has a mechanical key winding fire gilded brass movement with a verge escapement and fusee. It features an intricately pierced and chased balance cock decorated with detailed scrollwork and a silver regulation disc. The white enamel dial has a single winding aperture adjacent to the 2 o’clock numeral, black Roman numerals for the hour markers, an outer minute track, and highly ornate gilded Louis XV style hands, signed Marceau a Loroux Bottereau.
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The timepiece is housed in an exceptionally fine round, 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case. It has a decorative bezel and a central polychrome enamel painted scene depicting an allegory of love with a classical couple in a garden setting. This is framed over a rich royal blue translucent enamel ground showcasing a finely detailed gold foliage scroll border and a sturdy round suspension bow.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Signed: Marceau à Loroux Bottereau
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The signature Marceau a Loroux Bottereau references a watchmaker active in Le Loroux-Bottereau, a historic commune in western France. This timepiece captures the opulent French decorative style of the late Louis XVI era. The single winding aperture on the dial near the 2 o’clock position is characteristic of keywound timepieces from this period. It allows the movement to be wound from the front via a dedicated key. The reverse showcases a masterfully executed polychrome enamel allegory scene, highlighted by vibrant translucent enamel that was fashionable among the late 18th century European upper class.