French gold enamel watch with pearls and diamonds Circa 1790

Ornamental gentleman’s pocket watch by Gregson
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A very fine ornamental French, gentleman’s, gold enamel pocket watch studded with half pearls and diamonds, circa 1790.
The 18 Carat gold and enamel case has a back with a gallant scene: lovers in classical robes at the altar of love under a tree, studded with diamonds and half pearls, translucent cobalt blue enamel ground with an engine-turned pattern; a bezel decorated with gold paillon flower border on brown enamel ground, a pendant with translucent blue enamelling, and number and punch mark CD. It has a signed enamel dial with Roman numerals and pierced filigree gold hands.
And the keywind, fire gilt, full plate movement has a three-arm brass balance, a verge escapement, and a fine florally engraved and pierced balance bridge.
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Diameter: 54 mm
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Weight: 72 g
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Signed: Gregson à Paris
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Jean-Pierre Gregson
Jean-Pierre Gregson originally came from England; he was appointed clockmaker to the royal court in Paris in 1776. The importance of his position was corroborated by the fact that in 1786 he was appointed a member of the commission for the establishment of a royal manufactory. The other members were the most famous makers of France – Breguet, Berthoud and Lepaute.
Gregson was one of the first makers of his time to use Lépine’s bridge calibre. However, after the outbreak of the French Revolution, a position as a maker to the court was not beneficial to Gregson’s business anymore, so he abandoned the title quickly. While his repeating clock no. 2181 was still signed “Hor du Roy”, no. 2276 only bore the signature “Hger à Paris”.
In 1790 Gregson returned to London to be safe. He established a new workshop and called it “Gregson London”. He continued to build French-style clocks and kept his old numbering system.