Swiss gold strawberry-form verge pendant watch Circa 1810

Gold, enamel, pearl and diamond-set watch 
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A Swiss 18K gold, enamel, pearl and diamond-set strawberry-form verge pendant watch, circa 1810. The back of the fruit in green enamel with half pearls for seeds, green enamel on top for the leaves set with graduated half pearls for seeds, green enamel on top for the leaves set with graduated half pearls, spring-loaded pearl-set bezel, and gold stem forms the pendant. Gold dial, champlevé with radial Roman numerals, outer dot minute divisions, engine-turned centre and blued steel Breguet hands. Gilt brass, full plate movement with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, plain three-arm brass balance, continental cock with polished endplate, silver regulation dial.
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Dimensions: 46 x 26 mm
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Signed: No name
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The first form of watches appeared in the early 17th century, the cases were modelled in a cast and chased silver or gold as animals, fish and skulls. These exotic and expensive toys enjoyed a revival during the last decade of the 18th century and the first quarter of the 19th century, naturally, the fine Swiss watchmakers and enamelers in Geneva made some of the best examples of this period. A large variety of shapes were made, fruit being a particular favourite. Exquisite gold, enamel and jewelled watches in the form of melons, cherries, peaches and strawberries were amongst the most popular. The fruit has a powerful symbolism. In China, the apple represents peace, and the cherry, fertility and the strawberry represent goodness and purity, the perfect gift for a lady who would have immediately understood the meaning. The strawberry was also considered the holy symbol of the Virgin Mary. Form watches were never made in large numbers and surviving examples, particularly with enamelled and jewelled cases, are extremely rare.