Swiss gilt metal and enamel decorated watch Circa 1790

Gilt metal open faced key winding verge watch
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A fine Swiss gilt metal open faced pocket watch with a polychrome enamel painting on the reverse cover, made by Jean-Pierre Rigaud in Geneva, circa 1790. This watch has a mechanical key winding fire gilded brass movement with a verge fusee escapement, an intricately pierced and chased balance cock decorated with scrollwork, and a silver regulation disc. The white enamel dial features a single winding aperture near 2 o’clock, black Roman numerals for the hours, an outer minute track with Arabic five minute numerals from 5 to 60, and delicate star hands, signed Pre. Rigaud À Genève.
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The timepiece is housed in a fine gilt metal open faced case. It features a bezel set with a continuous row of clear rhinestones. The back cover painting depicts a Lady by a fountain within a pastoral landscape, framed by a translucent royal blue enamel border with gold accents. The case is completed by a sturdy round suspension bow and an intricately pierced and engraved outer caseband.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 75 g
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Signed: Pierre Rigaud à Genève
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Jean-Pierre Rigaud was born in July 1750 in Geneva, Switzerland. He was the son of watchmaker Lazare Rigaud (1716-1785) and Elisabeth Aubert (circa 1729-1789). In 1775 Rigaud married Marie de Choudens (1751-1828), daughter of maker Jacques de Choudens (1728-1801). He was appointed maker to the Russian court and signed his timepieces Pierre Rigaud. He was also mayor of Dardagny from about 1818 to 1820, a small town 11 kilometres west of Geneva near the French border. Jean-Pierre Rigaud died at 69 on Saturday, January 11th, 1820 in Dardagny. A pocket watch by Rigaud resides in the Château de Versailles.