Swiss decorative flower basket form cylinder watch Circa 1850

Gold, enamel and diamond set form watch
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An extremely rare Swiss 18 carat gold, enamel and diamond set watch in the form of a flower basket by Tissot & Fils, circa 1850. A unique and very high quality case representing a flower basket, the face is enamelled, decorated with inlaid gold tendrils and set with diamonds, a classic painted polychrome enamel flower bouquet on the back, hinged on both sides. White enamel dial with Roman hours, outer minute track and moon hands. The heart shaped cuvette with engraved foliage decoration. A heart shaped movement with cylinder escapement and key winding. The cuvette is signed and numbered.
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Diameter: 42 x 26 mm
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Weight: 25 g
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Signed: Eugène Tissot Fils  Chaux-de-Fonds
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Watches from Patek Philippe and Vacheron & Constantin with similar heart shaped movements are known. An almost unsigned identical watch was auctioned and sold for € 12,380. This watch was also by Tissot & Fils, set with rubies instead of diamonds and punched No. 10076. The present piece is numbered 10085!