Fine Swiss gold open faced quarter repeating watch Circa 1810

Gold repeater by Louis Duchène & Compagnie
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A fine Swiss 18 carat gold quarter repeating key wind pocket watch with glazed protective outer case, circa 1810. Gilt full plate fusee verge movement, pierced and engraved balance bridge with polished steel coqueret silver regulation disc, copper indicator. Quarter repeating, repeating the hours and quarter hours on a bell by depressing the pendant.
White enamel dial, black Arabic numerals, black outer minute divisions, gold beetle and poker hands. fine chased and engraved multicolour case, gilt pierced and engraved glazed protective case.
Movement and dial signed.
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Diameter: 53 mm

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Weight: 113 g
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Signed: L.s Duchène et Compagnie
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Louis Duchène et Compagnie is a Swiss watch manufactory, Geneva and Paris. The company was founded by Louis Duchêne (1730-1804) around 1750 in Geneva, first trading as Louis Duchêne Co. and from 1770 to 1790 as Duchêne & Cie.. In 1791 the company was renamed to Louis Duchêne & Fils and kept this name until 1820. Both sons of Louis Duchêne, Jacob Etienne Duchêne and Jacob Louis Duchêne, were partners in the company, as of 08/03/2012.
Rinaldo and Armida
The story of the sorceress Armida is based on Torquato Tasso’s epic tale La Gerusalemme liberata (The Liberated Jerusalem) of 1575. Using her magic powers, Armida is keeping the crusader Rinaldo captive on her island. Supernatural beings warn her that she will die if she holds on to her love for the Christian knight but Armida ignores the warnings. She kisses Rinaldo passionately and falls dead to the ground.
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Reference 0032000