Swiss 18 carat gold and enamel full hunter case watch Circa 1800

Unusual watch set with gemstones and Oriental pearls
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An extremely rare gold and enamel full hunter cased watch set with gemstones and Oriental pearls, probably made for the Chinese market by Les Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1800. The case of this watch which was crafted from 18 carat gold features a coined band, gemstones and Oriental pearls on both sides, transparent guilloché enamel in the center, a rose on one side and a butterfly on the other. The white enamel dial has Arabic hour numerals and Breguet steel hands and the numbered movement has a verge escapement.
The movement is signed.
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Diameter: 31,5 mm
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Signed: Frères Esquivillon & Dechoudens
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The watch was probably made for the Chinese market and is extremely rare as a gold and enamel ladies’ watch. Only a few of these watches were made as hunting case watches and combine different enamelling techniques, Oriental pearl setting and stone setting.
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Esquivillon & De Choudens
Les Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens were renowned pocket watch makers, active primarily in Geneva, Switzerland, and Paris, France, from approximately 1765 to 1830. They were known for producing high quality verge pocket watches, many of which are now preserved in prestigious institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The firm was founded by a partnership between Jacques Dechoudens (1728–1801), a skilled watchmaker and the Esquivillon brothers: Joseph (1714–1798), Jean François (1733–1813), and Gédéon-François (1717–1799).
This collaboration established a workshop in Genève that became prominent in the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries.
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Craftsmanship and Legacy
High-Quality Production: The firm specialised in creating high-quality pocket watches, often featuring intricate details such as gilt and enamel cases, some adorned with jewels.
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Verge Escapement: Their movements typically used the verge escapement, a common mechanism for the period.
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Varied Signatures: The watches were often signed in different ways, including “Les Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens”, “Esquivillon & De Choudens” and simply “Les Frères Esquivillon”.
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Museum Collections: The enduring value and craftsmanship of their pieces are evidenced by their inclusion in major museum collections worldwide.

The firm’s operations spanned a significant era in horological history and the pieces they produced remain highly valued in the antiques market today. After the watchmaking firm of Les Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens ceased operations around 1830, the business and its name ended. There is no record of the business continuing under new ownership or the company’s name being passed to a successor. The firm’s discontinuation was likely due to a saturated market, which made it difficult to sustain the business.