Swiss vari coloured gold Louis XVI pocket watch Circa 1785

Gold open faced keywinding verge
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A Swiss 18 carat vari coloured gold keywinding Louis XVI pocket watch made by Duchêne & Compagnie in Geneva, circa 1785. Case back engraved and chiselled, with in the center an oval medallion with a sacrificial altar of Love in neoclassical style, surrounded by attributes of Love: a dog embodying Fidelity, a couple of doves embodying Union, Cupid’s quiver with his arrows of love, and bezels decorated with foliage. White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and yellow gold Poker & Beetle hands. A gilded brass movement, fusee and chain, verge escapement, monometallic balance and blued steel flat hairspring, pierced and engraved gilded continental Louis XVI cock with polished steel end piece. Signature on the dial and movement.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Weight: 65 g
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Signed: Duchêne & Compagnie,  Geneva

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Louis Duchêne & Fils was a leading name in Genevan watchmaking in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Master watchmaker Louis Duchêne (1730–1804) gained fame through his technical innovations. His son joined the business in 1791, prompting a name change to Louis Duchêne & Fils. After Louis’s death in 1804, his son ran the company under the same name until around 1820. Later, the name changed to Duchêne Louis et Cie., and eventually to Duchêne & Peyrot.