French gold verge pocket watch studded with half pearls Circa 1780

Gold chatelaine watch in pair cases by Vauchez
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A fine French gold, enamel and half pearl set pair cased verge pocket watch with matching chatelaine, circa 1780. A gilded copper protective case with large lateral hinge, the 18 carat gold inner case is engine turned on the back, the center and edges with a translucent green enamelled, half pearl set foliate decor, the bezel studded with half pearls, an engraved band and large lateral hinge. White enamel dial with radial Roman hours, an outer minute track, Arabic five minute numerals and Louis XVI hands. Accompanied by a matching 22 carat multi coloured gold chatelaine with key and signet, an open work decor showing flowers, vases, pigeons, fruit and military equipment. Fire gilded full plate movement with chain and fusee, a three arm brass balance, and engraved and pierced balance bridge.
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Diameter: 45 mm
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Weight: 65 g
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Length chatelaine: 125 mm
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Signed: Vauchez à Paris
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The Vauchez or Vaucher family originally came from Fleurier, Switzerland and produced so many skilled watchmakers that attributing individual watches to their maker is very difficult. The best known was Daniel-François Vauchez.

Daniel-François was born in Fleurier in 1716 and married with nine children. Vauchez had to leave the country in 1760 and moved to Paris, where he became a master watchmaker. His wife and children initially remained in Fleurier but eventually joined him in Paris. He likely had a close relationship with Ferdinand Berthoud, which contributed to his success as a watchmaker. By 1767, he was listed as a watchmaker and from 1769 to 1790 he had a workshop in the rue Saint-Pierre-aux-Boeufs in Paris. He signed his high quality timepieces with ‘Vauchez à Paris’ and ‘Vauchez en la Cité’. Five of his sons, Jonas-Frédéric-Louis, Jean-Henri-David, François-Daniel-Abraham, Jean-Jacques, Samuel-Henri-André and his daughter Isabelle-Salomé also became watchmakers. 

Daniel-François died around 1790 in Paris and Jean-Henri-David continued the business. In a poignant letter from 1826, it is mentioned that Samuel-Henri-André and François-Daniel-Abraham were still living in poverty in Paris and were nearly blind. 

Various clocks bearing the signature ‘Vauchez à Paris’ and ‘Vauchez en la Cité’ can be found in museum collections across Europe, including the Musée du Louvre in Paris.