Swiss silver open faced cylinder pocket watch Circa 1860

Silver keywinding 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 with a knurled case band. And a gilded and silvered metal cuvette. White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds at 6 and gilded metal Louis XV hands. A ¾ plate movement, engraved incorporating a compass; Mi Chronomètre, partly skeleton and engraved with foliage and rabbit, 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.