Very fine Swiss 18K gold, enamel and pearl set watch Circa 1870

Gold ladies’ cylinder watch 
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A very fine and rare Swiss 18 carat gold, enamel and pearl set hunting cased pocket watch made by Humbert-Ramuz & Co in Geneva, circa 1870. Gilt movement with a jewelled cylinder escapement. White enamel dial with Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track and blued steel hands. An extraordinary pearl set and enamelled case. The front cover with the polychrome enamel image of two children embracing each other, surrounded by dark blue enamel and pearl setting. The reverse shows the multicoloured enamel image of an angel, further decorated to match the front. The front cover opens by pushing the button on top of the pendant. Gold cuvette signed.
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Diameter: 37 mm
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Weight: 32 g
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Signed: Humbert Ramuz Geneva
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Reference 0014000.
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Two pearls are missing.
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Humbert-Ramuz & Co (or Humbert-Ramuz & Cie)
Humbert-Ramuz & Co was a watch manufacturer in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Charles Humbert and Ulysse Humbert-Ramuz owned the company.

In 1867, Ulysse Humbert-Ramuz received British Patent 2388. He invented a construction whereby a hunting cased pocket watch was pulled out by opening and closing the lid. In America, he received a patent for his invention in 1868, U.S. Patent 77 213. There the invention of this construction is attributed to Henry Hirsch and Seligman Oppenheimer. At the Paris Exhibition in 1867, the company won a silver medal.

In 1881, Humbert-Ramuz & Co again won a silver medal at the National Watch Exhibition in La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1887, the Diamant brand name was listed and the company was granted U.S. Patent No. 363 959 for a see-through dial on May 31st of the same year. In 1888, the company was renamed Charles-Humbert Fils and the brand name Avenir was registered four years later. In 1926 and 1966, Humbert-Ramuz & Co was registered as a trademark by Jules Bloch. Avenir was a brand name by Auguste Reymond S.A. from 1973.