Swiss gold crucifix case set with plique a jour Circa 1880

Gold and plique a jour crucifix
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An unusual Swiss 14 Carat gold crucifix shaped cylinder pocket watch set with plique a jour, circa 1880. Cross shaped key-wound gilt bar movement with a suspended going barrel, plain cock with polished steel regulator, plain three-armed gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring, polished steel cylinder and steel escape wheel. Small circular white enamel dial with Roman numerals and pierced gilt hands. Case profusely engraved depicting a cross on the hinged back cover, the front cover over the dial finely pierced and decorated with multi-coloured plique a jour, pierced and engraved gold mask over the movement, keyhole aperture revealing the balance and cock.
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Dimensions: 62 x 39 x 14 mm
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Signed: No name
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An unusual watch in excellent condition. Plique a jour is seldom found on watches, partly due to its delicate nature. Translated as ‘open to light’, it is a technique producing translucent enamels held in an open framework, the effect is not unlike a stained-glass window in miniature.