French 18k gold verge made for the Islamic market Circa 1800

Gold watch with four independent dials
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A fine French, very rare and unusual, large 18K gold pocket watch with four independent dials for different time zones, circa 1800. Made for the Islamic market. An Empire case, polished bezels, reeded band, the back cover engine-turned with a sunray pattern and central vacant cartouche. Gilt metal cuvette.
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Four, small, white enamel dial’s with Islamic numerals, outer minute track and Islamic five-minute numerals, matte gilt dial plate finely engraved with foliage and central signature. Blued steel Breguet hands. A frosted gilt movement, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, brass balance, flat balance spring, continental balance cock, silver regulation dial. Dial, cuvette and three of the movements signed. Property of a European Gentleman.
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Diameter: 72 mm
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Signed: Chantelot  Marseille
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Watches with provisions for showing time in more than one place are very rare before the late 19th century when true world time watches were first made. Before this, watches such as the present piece are very occasionally found with multiple movements and dials for keeping the time in different places. Before the advent of mass travel, there was little need for people to know the time in other places and the only people who would be interested in this were sailors and frequent voyagers.
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The present watch being of such high grade and therefore cost, is likely to have been made either for a rich sea captain (probably based in the port of Marseille) or as a gift for the Sultan. The present watch is exceptional for several reasons, the very large size, the quality of the case and dial and the provision for four time zones at such an early date.