French pair cased verge watch with presentation plaque Circa 1814

Gold and enamel verge watch by Blonnay
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A French gold and enamel pair cased verge watch with engraved presentation plaque to the movement, circa 1814. This timepiece features a gilded full plate movement, verge escapement, three-arm balance, pierced and engraved balance bridge, silver regulation plate, fusee and chain, and an engraved inscription on an applied polished plaque. The inscription is dedicated to the faithful reader, Baroness d’Arberg of the Empress Josephine, our late beloved mother, who passed away on May 29, the day of Pentecost, in 1814 at Malmaison.( à la baronne d’arberg fidèle lectrice de s m l’impératrice josephine, notre mère regrettée qui rendit son ame a dieu le 29 mai, jour de pentecôte 1814 la malmaison l’an 1814, hortense-eugene) It is also signed by Blonnay.
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The watch has a white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and an outer minute ring with Arabic quarter hours, signed by Blonnay. The gold case has an oval polychrome enamel scene on the back depicting Helen of Troy bidding farewell to Prince Paris as he goes to fight Menelaus, with an outer gilt metal glazed cover. Additionally, it comes with an associated gold and enamel chatelaine with four pendants terminating in a key, a blank seal, and two decorative tassels.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: Blonnay
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The movement is in good condition. The dial is running well. The back case has been restored with soft enamel. The chatelaine is also restored and in good condition. The presentation plaque is excellent and underscores the importance of the watch.
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The engraved presentation inscription on the cuvette translates as: “The Baroness D’Arberg, faithful reader to her majesty Empress Joséphine, our missed mother who handed her soul back to God on May 29, 1814, day of Pentecost at la Malmaison 1814, Hortense – Eugene.” This suggests that the watch may have been given as a present by Josephine’s two children, Eugène (1781-1824) and Hortense (1783-1837), to the Baroness d’Arberg, a confidant and friend of the Empress. The Château de Malmaison was the residence of Empress Joséphine. Josephine’s two children were from her first marriage to Alexandre de Beauharnais, who was executed during the Reign of Terror in 1794. Eugène was an aide de camp to Napoleon Bonaparte, later becoming Viceroy of Italy, while Hortense became the Queen consort of Holland through her marriage to Napoleon’s younger brother, Louis Bonaparte, the King of Holland.
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Blonnay is listed by Brian Loomes in Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, 21st Century Edition, as active in Paris around 1800.