Splendid Swiss gold watch for the Chinese market Circa 1820

Gold and enamel duplex with centre seconds
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An extremely fine Swiss, 18 carat gold, champlevé and painted on enamel pocket watch with centre seconds, circa 1820. Made for the Chinese market. The enamel is attributed to Jean- François-Victor Dupont (1785-1863). An Empire case, the bezel is decorated with translucent Royal blue enamel lappets, pale green enamel and an engraved gold pattern between, the pendant and bow similarly decorated. The hinged and sprung back cover set with a very finely painted enamel scene of Apollo embracing his lover in a classical interior, his lyre over his shoulder, outer border decorated to match the bezel. Hinged and sprung gold cuvette fixed to the movement ring.
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White enamel dial with radial narrow Roman numerals, outer minute and second divisions with Arabic 15 minute numerals and blued steel ovoid hands. Entirely foliate engraved gilt movement, Chinese calibre, standing barrel, jewelled to the centre wheel, duplex escapement, three-arm balance with blued steel wings, flat balance spring, index regulator. Dial and movement signed, case numbered.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Henri Moser & Cie  Geneva
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Jean-Francois -Victor Dupont (1785-1863), probably the finest painter on enamel of his time, worked in Geneva. His work included portraits of distinguished figures (King George IV, Henry VI etc.) as well as boxes and particularly watches destined for the Chinese Market. For the latter, he cooperated frequently with Ilbery as well as Piguet & Meylan. A particular feature of his work was his ability to paint a group of figures posed in the same plane without giving an impression of overcrowding. His distinctive palette may well derive from the fact that he mixed his colours. The very finely painted enamel panel set into the present watch is beautifully rendered, the figures having the three dimensional quality and perspective associated with the work of Dupont. Although the enamel is unsigned, very few artists were capable of producing work of this tonal quality.