Swiss gold and enamel watch with center seconds Circa 1780

Gold unusual cylinder watch for the Chinese market
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An extremely unusual 18 carat gold and enamel pocket watch with stoppable center seconds for the Chinese market made by Jean François Nicoud in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1780. This outstanding quality pair cased watch features protective glazing on both sides, a face set with oriental pearls and a polychrome enamel painting surrounded by a dark blue edge with pailloné inlays on the back lid. The white enamel dial has Roman hours, a ring with a fifth of a second register for the center seconds, outer dot minute divisions, outermost Arabic 5 minute numerals and exceptionally fine hands set with diamonds. The movement is fitted with a very fine quality cylinder escapement.
The movement is signed.
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 91 g
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Signed: J.F. Nicoud à Genève
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The item presented here is an early example of a watch made for the Chinese market. Watches from before 1800 with center seconds that were intended for export to China are extremely rare.