Swiss gold and enamel quarter repeating watch Circa 1770

Gold and enamel verge in pair cases
–
A Swiss striking gold and enamel pair cased verge quarter repeating and striking pocket watch, circa 1770.
Gold and enamel outer case, an oval enamel medallion on the back with an en grisaille allegory of sculpture depicting a young boy working on a bust in his studio, the bezels are engraved and ornamented with polychrome opaque and translucent basse taille enamel petals and leaves, the inner case pierced and engraved with finely executed foliage scrolls, a rear bell and a movement protection cap. White enamel dial with Roman hours, Arabic five minute numerals and gold hands.
Full plate movement, chain and fusee, two hammers, three arm brass balance.
–
Diameter: 45 mm
–
Weight: 94 g
–
Signed: Les Frères Colladon, Geneva
–
The brothers François and Jean-Etienne Colladon were both watchmakers in Geneva and traded under the brand name Les Frères Colladon from 1762 to 1779.
–
A grisaille (en grisaille), or grey painting, is a painting in which one does not apply natural colours but restricts oneself to depicting things in all possible shades of the same colour, usually grey or brown.
–
Basse taille is an enamelling technique in which the artist creates a low-relief pattern in metal, usually silver or gold, by engraving or chasing. The entire pattern is created in such a way that its highest point is lower than the surrounding metal. A translucent enamel is then applied to the metal, allowing light to reflect from the relief and creating an artistic effect. It was used in the late Middle Ages, and then again in the 17th century.