French enamel painted watch with shagreen outer cover Circa 1650

Pendant watch with polychrome enamel paintings by F. Masseron
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A French enamel-painted pendant watch with a shagreen outer cover, circa the mid-17th century. The watch features a gilt full-plate movement with a verge escapement, a pierced and engraved screwed-on balance cock, a blued steel ratchet wheel set up, and a locking spring with a similarly pierced and engraved cock. It also includes baluster pillars and gut fusee and is signed F. Masseron, Paris. The dial has a white enamel chapter ring, a gilt centre with enamel daisies, and engraved edges. The enamelled case depicts Flora, the goddess of flowers, with painted flora, bow and arrows, symbols of love and fertility, around the edge. The inside of the covers is painted with bouquets of flowers. It has a fitted shagreen case with an ornate silver hinge and fastenings.
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Diameter: 42.5 mm
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Signed: F. Masseron, Paris
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Dial in good condition. The case has a crack in the enamel on the cover near the hinge. There is a lack of enamel decoration around the flowers on the inside cover. The movement is in working condition.
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Masseron, Francois, was a watchmaker located in Paris at Cour du Palais. His name was mentioned on August 22, 1644, October 31, 1651, and December 21, 1659. He was the brother of Théophile Masseron and was known to have taught Pierre Collin, who was 11 years old at the time when he was 8 years old.