Swiss gold Pouzait lever with oversized balance Circa 1795

Gold open faced Pouzait lever watch by Robert & Courvoisier
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A fine Swiss 18 carat gold open faced gentleman’s pocket watch with an oversized balance, circa 1795.
Plain bezels, a glazed case back, the outer border engraved and with case maker’s mark PHMI. White enamel dial with Breguet numerals, centre seconds and blued Breguet hands. Gilt frosted full plate movement, lever escapement according to Pouzait, key wind, florally engraved rim, chain and fusee, large finely engraved balance cock, oversized five-arm gold ring balance. Dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Weight: 121 g
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Signed: Robert et Courvoisier Genève
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Robert & Courvoisier are clock and watchmakers from La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The firm was founded in 1795 as a successor to J. Robert & Fils, Courvoisier. In 1770 the firm was originally established by Josué Robert (1691–1771). After Robert’s death, a year after the company was founded, the firm was renamed Josué Robert & Fils and was led by his son Louis Benjamin Robert (1732–1781). They mainly produced large clockworks, but as Benjamin’s son-in-law, Louis Courvoisier became a companion, pocket watches were put into production. When Louis Benjamin died, Louis Courvoisier became the manager of the firm. From 1787 to 1795 the firm was called J. Robert & Fils, Courvoisier. From 1795 to 1805 it was renamed Robert & Courvoisier. Since 1805 the firm’s name was Robert, Courvoisier & Cie with Philip Grandjean as a business partner. In 1852 it became Courvoisier Frères. The firm continued under the direction of various members of the Courvoisier family until the 1930s. Along with the Jaquet-Droz firm, they were the most important makers of musical clocks and around the turn of the 18^th and 19^th centuries, their portable officers’ watches were famous.