French 18K rose gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1790

Gold open faced key winding verge watch
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A fine French 18 carat rose gold open faced pocket watch made by Aubert in Paris, circa 1790. It has a mechanical key winding movement with a verge escapement and a magnificent openwork frosted gilt balance cock intricately carved with scrolling floral motifs. It is signed Aubert à Paris. The movement features a silver regulation dial with a steel hand and a small exposed steel mechanism wheel. The white enamel dial displays prominent black painted Roman numerals for the hours, a minute track with black outer Arabic numerals at five minute intervals, a winding aperture on the main dial, and ornate gold Louis style hands. The timepiece is housed in a substantial 18 carat rose gold open faced case with an inner lid stamped with the maker or casemaker mark JOJE and a crowned hallmark with the initials AV. The fully guilloché back cover is detailed with an intricate radiating spiral motif centred on a decorative rosette flower, completed by a textured case band.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 80 g
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Signed: Aubert à Paris
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The signature Aubert à Paris on an 18thcentury French pocket watch refers to a well known name in the Parisian watchmakers’ guild during the French mechanical art period. During this era, with styles of Louis XV, Louis XVI, and the early French Directoire, Parisian masters were known for their excellent aesthetic and technical craftsmanship.
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The name Aubert is mentioned in horological literature, including Tardy’s Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français, and in 18th century Paris workshops. One of the most famous makers was Jean-Jacques Aubert (around 1770–1790), known for his high quality movements and clocks.