Swiss navette shaped ring watch with visible balance Circa 1850

Gold and half pearl set ring watch
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An extraordinary Swiss 18 Carat gold and half pearl set navette shaped ring watch with visible balance, circa 1850.
Navette form case with half pearls set on the bezel. Eccentric white enamel dial with Arabic hours and outer minute divisions, in the upper part a polished disc with four curved diamond set arms illustrating a visible balance against an opaque light blue enamelled ground with engraved floral decor and flaming heart, blued hands. Moulded frosted gilt movement, cylinder escapement.
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Dimensions: 35 x 18 x 9 mm
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Weight: 15 g
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Signed: No name
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Even as early as the 16th century watchmakers were fascinated by the idea of fitting a watch into a ring, however, only a few of them managed such a feat. This did not change during the 19th century, any successful attempt to create a watch of this kind brought immediate fame to its maker, especially if the watch found a prominent buyer. It was probably James Widman’s ring watch that was worn by the Duke of Mantua and Antoine Rojard’s fame based itself on Napoleon Bonaparte’s watch, even the young John Arnold was able to present an exquisite ring watch to King George III of England, this immediately made him a celebrated watchmaker.