French gilt-metal and enamel open faced verge watch Circa 1685

Gilt metal and enamel verge watch
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A French gilt metal and enamel open faced verge pocket watch, circa 1685. Verge movement, pierced and engraved cock and foot, fusee and chain, spiral balance spring, adjusting screw. White enamel dial with Roman numerals for the hours, a polychrome enamel ornament in the centre and a single steel hand. The case is painted and florally polychrome enamelled on both the outside as well as the inside.
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Diameter: 40 mm
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Signed: Mainadié Bairuth
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This piece reflects the further clarification of the standards developed after the invention of the balance spring by Huygens in 1675. It is also a fine example of the quality of the decoration at that time, with that very harmonious blend of colour housing. The floral decoration of this watch recalls the first horological achievements of Geneva enamel with the example of Pierre Huaud I, 1612-1680, son of the goldsmith and native of Chatellerault, France, and a refugee in Geneva in 1630, who started a long dynasty of painters on enamel.