Swiss 20 carat gold verge watch with enamel scene Circa 1686

Gold and enamel open faced verge watch
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An early and important English gold and enamel open faced pre-balance spring verge pocket watch with protective case, circa 1686. A leather-covered brass protective case, gold inner case enamelled by Jean Pierre and Ami Huaud, showing a scene of Cephalus and Procris. White enamel dial with Roman hours, a polychrome enamel scene in the centre. Movement signed by the watchmaker, the enamel signed Les deux Frère Huaut pintre de son A.E. a Berlin. Full plate movement, chain and fusee, three-arm brass balance, verge escapement pierced and engraved balance cock.
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Signed: Jean de Choudens London
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Jean De Choudens, Rouen, France, circa 1680. London circa 1720.
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The leather outer case needs restoration.
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Les Frères Huaut (or Huaud). The cases painted on enamel by ‘Les deux Frères Huaut’ were among the finest examples of their kind from the Geneva School and were not only highly valued when originally made, but remained as art treasures in the centuries that followed. Pierre I was the founder of the Huaud dynasty. He was born in 1612 in Geneva as the son of a French goldsmith Jean Huaud. He settled in Geneva in 1630 and three of his 11 children became famous enamellists like their father: Pierre II (1647-1698), Jean-Pierre (1655-1723) and Ami (1657-1724). The brothers were most likely trained by their father and worked with him. Pierre II started his own business around 1680. Jean-Pierre and Ami became partners in 1682 and were appointed painters to the Prussian court in 1686 when they moved to Berlin and started working for Elector Frederick William of Brandenburg (1620-1688). Among their most well-known works are Diana and Actaeon, The Judgement of Paris, The Holy Family, St. John the Baptist, The Nativity and The Adoration of the Shepherds.