French oignon with enamel painting on the movement Circa 1710

Pocket watch with plain silver open faced case
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A very rare oignon with enamel painting on the movement attributed to Huaud, made by Langlois in Paris, France circa 1710. The watch has a plain open faced silver case and a white enamel dial with raised cartouches and blued steel hands. The extremely rare very early French verge movement has a high, steep fusee, Egyptian pillars and an enamelled balance bridge.
Movement signed.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Weight: 163 g
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Signed: Langlois à Paris
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The watch case may have been decorated by Jean-Pierre Huaud, also known as the younger Huaud, a Swiss artist who lived from 1655 to 1723. Alternatively, it could have been decorated by Ami Huaud, another Swiss artist who lived from 1657 to 1724.

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Frères Huaut’ were among the finest examples of their kind from the Geneva School and were not only highly valued when originally made, but remained as art treasures in the centuries that followed.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.
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Oignons with enamel painting on the balance bridges are sought after collector’s items.