Swiss gilt metal and painted enamel pocket watch Circa 1790

Open faced key winding verge watch with date
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A fine Swiss gilt metal open faced pocket watch with date and an exquisite polychrome enamel miniature painting on the reverse, circa 1790. This watch has a mechanical key winding fire gilded brass movement with a verge escapement and fusee, an intricately pierced and chased balance cock decorated with detailed scrollwork, and a silver regulation disc. The white enamel dial features a single winding aperture next to the 2 o’clock numeral, black Arabic numerals from 1 to 12 for the hour markers, an outer minute track with red Arabic fifteen minute numerals from 15 to 60, and a smaller concentric inner date ring with red Arabic numerals from 1 to 31. It is complemented by elegant blue steel hands, including a dedicated central pointer hand for the date.
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The timepiece is housed in an exceptionally fine gilt metal open faced case. It features a bezel set with a continuous row of clear rhinestones and a central enamel scene depicting a lady with a hat in an oval cartouche, framed by a matching rhinestone border over a rich, opaque, dark blue enamel ground decorated with polychrome motifs, and a sturdy round suspension bow.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Signed: No name
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This timepiece beautifully captures the opulent decorative style Swiss makers mastered in Geneva during the late 18th century. The single winding aperture on the dial near the 2 o’clock position is characteristic of keywound timepieces from this period, allowing the movement to be wound from the front with a dedicated key. The reverse showcases a masterfully executed polychrome enamel painting of a lady wearing a vibrant blue hat, set against a rich opaque blue enamel background adorned with delicate floral sprays. It is framed within shimmering paste rhinestone set borders that were fashionable among the late 18th century European upper class.