Swiss lady’s polychrome enamelled Night and Day watch Circa 1865

Gold and enamel hunting cased lever watch by Patek Philippe & Co.
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A fine Swiss gold and enamel hunting cased keyless lever lady’s watch, adorned with polychrome enamel panels depicting Night and Day, inspired by Bertel Thorvaldsen, circa 1865 and retailed by A. H. Rodanet, Paris. The watch features a 14”’ gilded movement with a moustache lever escapement, a wolf’s tooth winding, and a bimetallic compensation balance. It has a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, an outer minute ring, and blued steel moon hands.
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The case is made of 18k gold and is adorned with chased and engraved borders and bands that depict garlands of flowers and geometric motifs. The front cover showcases a polychrome enamel painting representing the personification of day, illustrated as an angel carrying a putto who holds a flaming torch. The angel scatters flowers against a pale pink guilloché enamel background. In contrast, the back cover features the personification of night, depicted as an angel holding two sleeping putti, with a night owl beneath, all set against a midnight blue translucent guilloché enamel backdrop. The gold cuvette is engraved with Exposition Universelles 1867, A. H. Rodanet & Cie, Constructeurs de Chronomètres, Rue Vivienne 38, Paris, No. 26963. The milled outer borders are numbered to the top 963 and signed at the base as Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève; the front cover is stamped with PPCo., and all covers are numbered.
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An accompanying extract from the Patek Philippe Archives confirms that this watch was made in 1865 and sold on July 31, 1867. The extract further verifies the enamel paintings representing Night and Day.
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Diameter: 37.5 mm
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Signed: Patek Philippe & Cie, Genève
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Movement is operational. The dial is in good, clean condition. Both enamel scenes have scratches and some very light, small surface chips.
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The two enamel scenes are inspired by the renowned Neoclassical designs of Danish sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen (1770-1844). Thorvaldsen created his iconic relief models after a restless night in the summer of 1815 while staying at the Casa Buti boarding house on Strada Felice in Rome. Marble reliefs of both scenes are displayed opposite each other at the Thorvaldsen Museum in Copenhagen. 
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Additionally, two similarly decorated Patek Philippe watches featuring the same scenes can be found at the Patek Philippe Museum. The museum’s examples have movements numbered 28.168 and 32.168, respectively; Madame Gaspard Lamunière painted the panels of the former, while Juliette-Charlotte Hébert painted the latter.