French rare hand painted porcelain verge watch Circa 1750

Pocket watch with fire gilt verge movement
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An extremely rare gold and porcelain verge watch, made by Jean Romilly in Paris, France, circa 1750. The open faced case of this watch was crafted from hand painted porcelain with floral motifs with 18 Carat gold mounting and has an opening button set with stone. The especially beautiful white enamel dial is set with stones, and has Arabic five minute numerals and Roman hour numerals, the original hour hand set with diamonds and a replaced minute hand. The fire gilt movement has a verge escapement.
Movement signed.
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Diameter: 45 mm
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Signed: Romilly, à Paris  
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Verge watches with porcelain cases are absolute rarities. Not many of these watches are known, as most porcelain cases have been damaged over the centuries. Most of these watches either had German cases from Meissen or Dresden or were made in France for the German market. Jean Romilly (1714 – 1794) was one of the best known makers of fine 18^th century verge watches.
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Jean Romilly
Jean Romilly, 1714-1794, was one of the most famous makers of the finest verge watches in the 18^th century.