French gold and silver open faced verge pocket watch Circa 1780

Gold and silver key wound pocket watch
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A fine French three tone 18 carat yellow gold and silver open faced pocket watch made by L’Épaute in the last quarter of the 18th century. It has a mechanical key wound movement with a traditional verge escapement, a balance cock, and a chain and fusee system, signed L’EPAUTTE A PARIS on the plate. The white enamel dial features painted black Roman numerals for the hours, an outer track with Arabic five minute markers, and ornate gold hands. The timepiece is housed in an elaborately decorated three body open faced case with a finely chased floral and foliate scroll motif on the bezel, punctuated with rhinestones. The case back is centred with a polychrome enamel oval miniature depicting a woman in Renaissance garb, topped by an elegant ribbon bow set with rhinestones. The watch mechanism is accessed via a hinge at the bezel, attached to a classic pendant stem and a sturdy oval suspension bow.
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Diameter: 42 mm
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Weight: 61 g
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Signed: L’Épaute à Paris