Swiss 20 carat gold quarter repeating pocket watch Circa 1780

Gold repeating à toc watch with à tact option 
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A very fine and early Swiss 20 carat gold and enamel open faced quarter-repeating à toc pocket watch with à tact option, circa 1780. The case back is decorated with enamel simulating bloodstone, gold appliqué forming an arch with blue enamel side entrances, a flower basket in the centre, a military trophy below, the bezel and border chased and engraved with a repeated pattern.

White enamel dial, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track with five-minute Arabic numerals, winding aperture at 2, steel beetle and poker hands. Hinged, frosted gilt full-plate movement with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement, brass three-arm balance with flat balance spring, pierced and chased foliate continental type balance cock, silver regulation dial, repeating on the bell (missing) activated by depressing the pendant, à tact lever at 8 o’clock. Dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 43 mm
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Signed: Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens  Genève
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This watch has a very rare and unusual form of decoration in which the enamel is used to simulate bloodstone.
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Frères Esquivillon & Dechoudens. Jean-François and Gédéon-François Esquivillon associated with Jacques Dechoudens are recorded as working between 1776 and 1800, were Master horologists who made gold and enamel watches with quarter repeating.