Swiss brass and enamel watch with fine painting Circa 1780

An exceptionally large enamelled watch
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An exceptionally large enamel gilt brass watch with a very fine painting, made by the Frères Veigneur in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1780. This watch features a leton (brass) glazed protective case, with a relief band, stone setting and a back lid with an extraordinary enamel painting representing a pair of swans in front of a castle, with a crescent shaped paillon decoration. The enamel dial features an outer minute and hour track with Arabic 15 minute numerals and Arabic hour numerals and extremely beautiful hands. The movement is equipped with a verge escapement.
The case and movement have matching numbers and the dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 65 mm
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Weight: 159 g
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Signed: Fres Veigneur à Genève
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Veigneur
Frères Veigneur (also known as Veigneur Frères) was a highly prestigious Swiss watch and clock manufactory active in Geneva from around 1770 until 1800. Founded by the brothers Isaac and Jean-Marc Veigneur, the firm achieved legendary status during the late Enlightenment era for producing incredibly complex, ultra luxurious timepieces. Their work catered directly to European royalty and the high end export market.

The core manufacturing business ceased operations following the dissolution of their partnership with Louis Céret, which had run from 1796 to 1802. By 1800–1802, changing geopolitical landscapes – specifically the French annexation of Geneva and the economic turmoil of the Napoleonic Wars – disrupted the luxury trade and the lucrative export pipelines to the Chinese imperial court.

While the original brothers (Isaac and Jean-Marc) retired from their joint manufacturing peak around this time, the highly respected “Frères Veigneur” name, branding and residual movement stock occasionally appeared on custom luxury timepieces and subsequent collaborations in Geneva through the 1820’s and mid 19^th century.