Swiss gold enamel cylinder watch with digital time Circa 1820

Gold digital pocket watch by Louis Duchêne & Fils
–
An attractive Swiss gold enamel pocket watch with digital time indication, date and Champlevé enamelled map of southern Europe on the reverse side, circa 1820. The back of this exceptionally well preserved pocket watch features a geopolitical map of Italy and its neighbouring countries in northeastern Europe, crafted in black, azure, and gold Champlevé enamel. The case is made of 18 carat gold with an enamel finish. It has a silver, engine turned dial that displays jumping hours, along with an aperture for digital hour readings and two subsidiary dials, all complemented by a blued hand. The watch includes a bridge movement, keywind mechanism, cylinder escapement, and a three arm brass balance.
–
Diameter: 52 mm
–
Weight: 75 g
–
Signed: Louis Duchêne & Fils, Geneva
–
Fourteen gold enamel watches with a map motif are known to have been created by Breguet; eight more are known from other makers.
–
The company Duchêne & Fils was founded by Louis Duchêne (1730-1804) in Geneva around 1750. The company signed its products with Duchêne & Cie. from 1770 until 1790; in 1791, the company name changed to Louis Duchêne & Fils and traded under that name until 1820. The two sons of Louis Duchêne, Jacob Louis Duchêne (1751-1800) and Jacob Etienne Duchêne (1759-1840) were partners in the firm. Watches by Duchêne carry varying signatures on the dials, cases and movements.