Decorative Swiss lever chronometer chronograph Circa 1918

Possibly unique gold, champlevé cloisonné enamel lever by Emile Richon
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A very fine, decorative and possibly unique Swiss 18 carat gold, champlevé and cloisonné enamel open faced keyless lever chronometer chronograph watch, circa 1918. Gilt-finished fully jewelled lever movement stamped twice with the Geneva seal, 19 jewels, bimetallic compensation balance, micrometre regulator. Gold cuvette. Finely floral and foliage engraved gold dial with Breguet numerals, outer fifths seconds and Arabic 13-24 indication, two subsidiary dials for 30 minutes register and constant seconds. Bezel, case back and pendant with black enamel and translucent polychrome champlevé and cloisonné enamel over engine-turned background floral decoration, finely engraved foliage decorated bow, chronograph locking slide in the band. Case numbered, cuvette signed and numbered, dial signed, movement numbered. Comes with a Bulletin d’Observatoire.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: Emile Richon Ecole d’Horlogerie Genève Chronomètre
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Cloisonné is an ancient technique for decorating metalwork objects with coloured material held in place or separated by metal strips or wire, normally of gold. In recent centuries, vitreous enamel has been used, but inlays of cut gemstones, glass and other materials were also used during older periods, indeed, cloisonné enamel very probably began as an easier imitation of cloisonné work using gems. The resulting objects can also be called cloisonné.