Swiss 18 carat gold high quality cylinder watch Circa 1800

Pocket watch with topaz setting and watch chain
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A very high quality cylinder watch with topaz setting and watch chain, attributed to Vacheron & Constantin in Geneva, Switzerland, circa 1800. The numbered open faced 18 carat gold textured case of this pocket watch is adorned with multi coloured gold floral appliques and handset pinkish red garnets, its back features a central rosette with eight leaf shaped arms, a decoration with multicoloured gold floral appliqués and inlaid pink red garnet stones on a finely chased background. The cuvette is engine turned.

The face of this watch consists of a solid, shimmering silver background with a dense, reflective guilloché basket weave pattern, elegantly framed by a thin, polished gold outer ring and features a small decentralized white enamel dial, with  an outer minute and hour track with sleek black Roman numerals for the hours and blued steel Breguet hands with characteristic crescent moon loops.

The watch is equipped with a matching gold layered slide barrel on the chain, decorated with identical floral motifs and granules. Suspended from the system are a matching gold winding key and two richly decorated watch stamps (fobs), set at the base with polished hardstones, including a transparent purple amethyst.

The classic gilt brass movement features a full plate construction with a smooth, frosted fire gilded finish, a balance cock and wheel, ruby end stones set into the balance bridge pivots to reduce friction and wear, a square key wind arbour protruding from the main plate, a small steel regulator arm mounted over the balance pivot and a cylinder escapement.
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Diameter: 43 mm
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Weight: 60 g
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Signed: No name
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Pink topaz was considered an extremely valuable gemstone around 1800, even more valuable than rubies, for example and was predominantly used for jewels belonging to aristocratic families.