Swiss silver keywinding cylinder pocket watch Circa 1860

Silver open faced pocket watch
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A Swiss silver open faced keywinding pocket watch, made by Dubois & Fils, Le Locle, circa 1860. The case back is engraved and engine turned with a fluted case band and a silver cuvette. A two tone white and pink enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds at 6 and gilded metal blued steel Spade hands. A ¾ plate movement, engraved incorporating a compass; Mi Chronomètre, partly skeleton and engraved with a castle décor, nickel plated, going barrel, cylinder escapement, monometallic balance and blued steel flat hairspring, polished steel index regulator; compass with wind rose built into the movement. Movement is unnumbered.
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Diameter: 47 mm
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Weight: 72 g
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Signed: Dubois & Fils, Le Locle
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This type of watch produced in the Neuchâtel mountains can be attributed to the firm of DuBois & Fils, which in the mid-19th century specialised in watches of unusual design and technical curiosities. The company, founded by Philippe DuBois (1738-1808), became one of the most prominent in the Neuchâtel region for over two centuries.
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Several watches incorporating a compass are known, some signed by Lucien Dubois, who is probably part of the above mentioned dynasty. Some have the compass visible on the dial side, others on the movement side. In the latter case, the movement has fully engraved bridges in the shape of animals. Many of these watches are destined for export markets.