French black & amp white style Art Deco lapel watch Circa 1918

Early platinum lapel watch by Verger Fréres
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A French very fine, early black & white style Art Deco lapel watch in a diamond set onyx case, circa 1918.
Platinum, rectangular case, decorated with onyx and brilliant cut diamonds, the case centring a large emerald cut diamond (circa 0,65ct); screwed on dial side with an intricately engraved mascaron and foliage motif. Black grosgrain ribbon, pendant and brooch decorated with diamonds and onyx and a central diamond set clasp. Silvered dial with Arabic numerals and blued spade hands. Frosted, gilt, oval movement with a gold screw compensation balance.
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Dimensions: 17 x 31 mm
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Signed: Verger Fréres à Paris
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Verger
The name of Ferdinand Verger stands at the beginning of two generations of designers and casemakers. In 1872 he established the first firm in the Place des Victoires in Paris. Later in 1901 he bought the firm of Lépine from Roux – as well situated in the Place des Victoires. Thirteen years later he sold what was left from the merchandise to M. Louis Leroy. He only kept the trade mark which he registered in 1917. Before in 1911 the firm had moved. The new address was: 51, rue Sainte Anne. The name was Verger frères and the master mark became “V.F.”. The brothers became famous for their cases and jewels which they made for the most exquisite jewellers of the world: Tiffany, Boucheron, Cartier, van Cleef & Apples, Mauboussin and Ostertag to mention only some of their customers. Verger frères became as well Paris agents for Vacheron & Constantin: they bought movements and cases for the French market. With their outstanding originality they created models like the well-known “bras en I’air” which shows Buddah or a mandarin. Other famous names of their models are “Radiateur” or the “Montres à Volets” which were often sold as a purse clasp produced for Ostertag, Boucheron Mauboussin,Tiffany, Gübelin, Van Cleef & Apples for which they specially designed the “Montres Cadenas”. For Cartier they created the unique mystery clocks which were in the 20s and 30s among the most splendid products in the Cartier collection.