Swiss gold, enamel and pearl set centre seconds duplex watch Circa 1895

Decorative pocket watch for the Chinese market by Brunner
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A gold, polychrome enamel painted and pearl set centre seconds duplex watch of museum quality, circa 1895. Made for the Chinese market. The watch features a gilt Chinese calibre movement with a duplex escapement, a flat polished steel three arm balance, a diamond endstone, and a hanging barrel, all finely chased and engraved with foliate decoration. It has a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, gold spoon hands, and an outer minute ring. The 18 carat gold case showcases a polychrome enamel scene on the back, depicting a mandolin player accompanied by a noblewoman, possibly Lucrezia Borgia, a bearded gentleman and a young page holding a crown on a cushion. Both bezels, the pendant, and the bow are adorned with pearls. The movement is signed Brunner, Tien-Tsin, La Chaux de Fonds, no. 1508, and the case is also numbered 1508, featuring a plain polished gold cuvette with apertures for winding and hand setting.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Weight: 146 g
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Signed: Brunner, Tien-Tsin (Tianjin), La Chaux de Fonds
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The movement is operational and seems to be in good cosmetic condition. The dial was only examined through the glass but appears in satisfactory condition. The case is in generally good condition. The scene is in good condition, with a couple of very minor scratches.
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Although dating late for this type of Chinese market watch, examples of this style are known from an even later period. The archival images from Vacheron Constantin included in Carole Lambelet and Lorette Coen’s book, The World of Vacheron Constantin, feature a Chinese market watch with a typical pendant and an enamel scene surrounded by pearl set borders, which is dated 1914.