Swiss gilt metal and painted enamel pocket watch Circa 1790

Gilt metal open faced key winding verge watch
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A fine Swiss gilt metal open faced pocket watch with polychrome enamel miniature painting made by Les Frères Deroche & Compagnie, late 18th century. This watch has a mechanical key winding fire gilded brass movement with a verge escapement, an intricately pierced and chased balance cock decorated with scrollwork, and a silver regulation disc. The white enamel dial features a single winding aperture at 2 o’clock, black Roman numerals for the hours, an outer minute track with Arabic five-minute numerals from 5 to 60, and gilded Louis XV style hands. It is signed Les Frères Deroche & Compagnie.
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The timepiece is housed in an exceptionally fine round, gilt metal open faced pair case. It features a bezel set with a continuous row of clear rhinestones and a reverse back cover finished in an exquisite polychrome enamel miniature painting depicting a mother and child in a garden setting. This is framed by a matching rhinestone border over a rich royal blue enamel ground. The watch also has a sturdy round suspension bow.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Signed: Les Frères Deroche & Compagnie
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Les Frères Deroche was a highly regarded Swiss watchmaking firm active in Geneva during the late 18th century. This specific timepiece beautifully captures the opulent decorative style that Swiss makers mastered for the French market during the late Louis XVI era. The single winding aperture located on the dial face is highly characteristic of continental keywound timepieces from this period. The movement is wound through this front aperture using a dedicated key, while the hands are adjusted manually via the central arbour square. The reverse showcases masterfully executed polychrome enamel painting, highlighted by vibrant enamel and paste rhinestone-set borders that were highly fashionable among the European aristocracy.