French gemstone set enamel watch with date display Circa 1800

Large verge pocket watch in enamel protective case 
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A Large Parisian brass, copper, gilt spindle(verge) pocket watch with a date display and enamel decoration in a glazed protective case, circa 1800.
Full plate movement, chain/fusee, three-arm brass balance, verge escapement. Enamel dial with Arabic radial hours, outer minutes track with fifteen minutes numerals, date display, and Louis XV-style hands. Brass, copper, gilt polychrome enamel case with gemstones and glazed protective housing. The back of the pocket watch is enamelled with translucent cobalt blue and adorned with flowers and set jewels. In the centre is a painted polychrome enamel oval medallion.
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Diameter: 71 mm
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Weight: 210 g
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Signed: Breguet a Paris
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Breguet was the best and most famous watchmaker of his time. This, of course, also made him a very popular target for imitators, which led him to devise a secret sign that would distinguish his works from the skilful imitations. Many watches with a forged signature were made during Breguet’s lifetime, but such pieces were still on the market after his death. Most of these watches were of poor quality or often not even in Breguet’s style. Although these are mostly excellent imitations of Breguet’s works, the design and technology give the connoisseur the fake. On the other hand, the present example is a high-quality and exceptionally rare watch.