French attractive four coloured gold pocket watch Circa 1772

Gold open faced pocket watch by Jean-Pierre Gregson
–
A very attractive French verge pocket watch in a gold case à quatre couleurs, made by royal watchmaker Gregson, circa 1772.
18-Carat gold case, the bezels with stylized acanthus foliage, the back cover with chased decoration in high relief à quatre couleurs depicting a loop, oak, flower heads, a quiver, arrows, a torch and a pair of doves, and with a large lateral hinge. Signed enamel dial with Roman radial hours and pierced filigree gold hands. Full plate movement, fire gilt, signed, chain/fusee, conical movement pillars, three-arm steel balance, engraved, pierced balance bridge.
–
Diameter: 42 mm
–
Weight: 67 g
–
Signed: Gregson, a Paris
–
Gregson, Jean Pierre, Parisian watchmaker of English descent.
Jean-Pierre Gregson originally came from England. In 1776, he became a royal watchmaker in Paris and established himself in the Rue Dauphine, a parish of Saint-André-des-Arts. He learned his craft in London before moving to Paris in the second half of the 18th century. Gregson was a capable master and one of the first watchmakers to use Lépine’s bar movement. In 1776, he was appointed as a court watchmaker, which soon became visible in the designation of his watches. If they were initially signed with “Gregson à Paris”, “Hger du Roy” was added later. His significant position is also evident in his appointment in 1786 as a member of a commission establishing a royal manufactory. The other members were the most famous watchmakers in France – Breguet, Berthoud and Lepaute.