Rare French silver open faced lever pocket watch Circa 1900

Silver apprentice watch 
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A rare apprentice pocket watch made by Emile Toucas student at the l’Ecole d’Horlogerie in Cluses, France, circa 1900. The open faced case of this watch was crafted from silver and the white enamel dial has Arabic hour numerals, an outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock and decorative gold hands. The movement has a precision lever escapement, a balanced lever and wolf’s toothing.
The dial is signed.
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Diameter: 51.3 mm
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Weight: 94 g
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Signed: Ecole d’Horlogerie de Cluses Emile Toucas
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L’Ecole d’Horlogerie de Cluses
Following the fire that destroyed the town of Cluses in 1844, the municipality led by Firmin Guy (1807-1881) sought to revive the city. Among the projects, a royal school of watchmaking was set up, based on the model of the Geneva school, whose first director was the Parisian watchmaker Achille Benoit. This, in addition to establishing a new institution in the city, also aimed to provide training to men who at that time were making work migrations across Europe and thus keep them in the country. Housed in a three story building, the school opened in 1848.