Swiss half hunting cased watch with painted crests Circa 1880

Gold and enamel pocket watch by Rossel & Fils
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A Swiss gold and enamel half hunting cased watch with twin polychrome enamel painted crests, circa 1880. This watch features a frosted gilded movement with a lever escapement, jewelled at the centre, and a bimetallic compensation balance. It is signed Felipe Hecht Genève and is numbered 99886. The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals, an outer Arabic minute ring, and a sunken subsidiary seconds dial. The case is 18 carat gold, with the front cover featuring a glazed aperture surrounded by enamel Roman numerals and an inner minute ring. The back cover showcases polychrome enamel painted crests depicting a Griffin and a Phoenix, all surrounded by a Dragon, with a diamond set enamel coronet above. Inside, the gold cuvette is engraved with movement details and is signed and numbered Rossel & Fils successeurs de J. F. Bautte & Cie, with the number 90791. The back cover is numbered 90791, while the front cover is numbered 91.
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Diameter: 36.5 mm
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Signed: Rossel & Fils, Genève
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The movement is running smoothly, with hands setting effortlessly. There is some tarnishing and a few small spots. The dial appears to be in generally good condition. The case shows light scuffs and scratches, with enamel crests exhibiting scratches throughout. The coronet is missing a stone from the side. There are some losses to the enamel infill of numerals on the cover at 8 and 9 o’clock. There is a small indentation between 4 and 5 o’clock, along with a couple of nicks on the band.
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Felipe Hecht and his son, Juan, worked together in Geneva, where they jointly purchased the Rossel-Bautte firm in 1897. After Felipe died in 1906, Juan became the sole owner of the company. He then sold both the Bautte firm and the Hecht factory to Girard-Perregaux.