Swiss gold, enamel and diamond set verge watch Circa 1820

Open faced pocket watch by Louis Duchêne & fils
–
A very fine Swiss diamond-set gold enamel verge pocket watch with regulator dial and centre seconds Rinaldo and Armida, circa 1820. 18-carat gold case with the back cover engine turned and translucent cobalt blue enamelled, in the centre a polychrome miniature painting made after the painting Rinaldo und Armida by Angelica Kauffmann (1741-1807) and diamond-set foliate decor and bezel. Signed enamel dial with eccentric hour indicator with Arabic numerals, centre seconds, eccentric chapter ring for date and filigree hands. Full plate movement, keywind, frosted, gilt, signed, chain/fusee, circular movement pillars, three-arm brass balance, fine florally engraved and pierced balance bridge.
–
Diameter: 54 mm
–
Weight: 96 g
–
Signed: Louis Duchêne & fils
–
Louis Duchêne
Swiss watch manufactory, Geneva and Paris. The company was founded by Louis Duchêne (1730-1804) around 1750 in Geneva, first trading as Louis Duchêne Co. and from 1770 to 1790 as Duchêne & Cie. In 1791, the company was renamed to Louis Duchêne & Fils and kept this name until 1820. Both sons of Louis Duchêne, Jacob Etienne Duchêne and Jacob Louis Duchêne, were partners in the company as of 08/03/2012.
–
Rinaldo and Armida
The story of the sorceress Armida is based on Torquato Tasso’s epic tale La Gerusalemme liberata (The Liberated Jerusalem) of 1575. Armida is keeping the crusader Rinaldo captive on her island using her magic powers. Supernatural beings warn her that she will die if she holds on to her love for the Christian knight, but Armida ignores the warnings. She kisses Rinaldo passionately and falls dead to the ground.