Swiss lady’s gold, enamel, diamond watch Circa 1830

Gold, enamel rubies and diamond set watch
–
A Swiss extremely rare gold and enamel bangle lady’s watch with integrated miniature pocket watch, studded with diamonds and rubies – with original ratchet winding key – one of the first wristwatches ever made, circa 1830.The wrist bangle is adjustable in size and has a hinged, oval cover decorated with translucent cobalt blue enamel on engine-turned ground and an applied flower sprig made of gold, rose-cut diamonds and rubies; the motif continues on the bangle itself. The cover opens to reveal the similarly embellished miniature pocket watch. An 18 carat gold, enamel case with diamands and rubies. The dial is enamel and the movement has a bridge movement, a cylinder escapement, a three-arm brass balance and is keywind.
–
Diameter: 21 mm
–
Weight: 7 g
–
Signed: Jn Frs Bautte & Cie Geneva
–
Jean-François Bautte was born in 1772 in Geneva. He trained in the different trades of being a case fitter, engraver, watchmaker, jeweller, and goldsmith. On August 1, 1793, he joined forces with Jacques-Dauphin Moulinié, under the corporate name Moulinié & Bautte, case fitters. On October 1, 1804, with the arrival of Jean-Gabriel Moynier, the firm became Moulinié, Bautte & Cie, seller of watch making-jewellery making. It was then that Jean-François Bautte developed his own manufacture in Geneva that brought together under the same roof all the bodies of trades of watch making from that time. He died on November 30, 1837.