French 18K yellow gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1900

Gold open faced keyless cylinder watch with chain
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A fine French 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch with a matching 18 carat gold vest chain made or/and sold by L. Goy in Clermont-Ferrand, circa 1900. It has a mechanical crown winding cylinder movement with a pin set for hand adjustment. The white enamel dial shows black Roman numerals for the hours, an outer minute track with Arabic five minute numerals from 5 to 60, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and ornate gold hands, signed L. Goy à Clermont-Ferrand.
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The timepiece is housed in a round, 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case. It has a fine engine turned reverse back cover decorated with a hand engraved vacant central cartouche within floral scrollwork, a fluted winding crown, an oval suspension bow, and a solid 18 carat gold inner protective cuvette engraved Cylindre / 10 Trous en Rubis / L. Goy à Clermont-Ferrand. It is accompanied by a yellow gold vest chain with jaseron links, a swivel clasp, and a bolt ring.
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Diameter: 41.8 mm
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Weight: 57 g
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Signed: L. Goy à Clermont-Ferrand
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L. Goy was a French watchmaker and jeweller (horloger bijoutier) operating in Clermont-Ferrand around 1900. Like many provincial master watchmakers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Goy mainly worked as an assembler, retailer, and quality guarantor rather than producing raw movement blanks (ébauches) in house. He sourced Swiss or French movements built to high standards—such as this cylinder escapement movement with ten ruby jewelled pivot holes (10 trous en rubis)—fitted them into fine 18K gold cases, and hand engraved his signature and town onto the inner gold cuvette as a mark of authenticity and quality for his local clientele.