French gold verge watch with enamel painting Circa 1770

Exceptionally large magnificent watch with stone trimmings
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An exceptionally large magnificent verge watch with enamel magnifier painting and stone trimmings, made by Jean Louis Argand in Paris, France, circa 1770. This watch has an open faced original Leton case, raised flowers and leaves on the back, which are fire gilded, decorated with completely preserved and original stone trimmings, in the centre a large enamel plaque with magnifying glass painting of exceptionally fine quality and the plaque is immaculately preserved. The enamel dial is in excellent condition and has unusual hands with a complete stone setting. The movement has a verge escapement, which was the common type of escapement in the 17^th and 18^th centuries.
Case and movement carry the same number and the dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 57.5 mm
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Weight: 134 g
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Signed: Argand à Paris
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Tardy’s ‘Dictionnaire des Horlogers Français’ lists Jean Louis Argand in Geneva and Paris, where he also accepted commissions. Argand was active from 1760 to 1777.
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A ‘leton’ case is a type of pocket watch case that is made of a single piece of metal, typically silver or gold and has a hinged cover that opens to reveal the watch’s face.