Swiss ultra thin pocket watch with Bagnolet caliber Circa 1840

Gold open faced cylinder watch 
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An early, ultra thin Swiss decorative 18 carat gold open faced key wind pocket watch with a Bagnolet caliber made by Robert Brandt & Compagnie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, circa 1840. The case has a florally engraved back, and a signed and florally engraved gold cuvette. The silvered face features lavish floral engravings, eccentric time indication with Roman hour numerals, outer minute divisions and blued spade hands, and a visible gold balance at 12 o’clock. The frosted gilt bridge movement is fitted with a cylinder escapement.
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Diameter: 44 mm
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Weight: 32 g
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Signed: Robert Brandt & Cie Chaux-de-Fonds in Suisse
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Bagnolet caliber
In the Bagnolet caliber, the movement is inverted and the train reversed. The idea was to make a very thin watch by reducing the thickness of the bridges and dial, and eliminating the cuvette. Philippe Samuel Meylan is credited with inventing the Bagnolet caliber.
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Robert Brandt & Compagnie, Swiss watch manufacturer
Robert Brandt & Compagnie was based in La Chaux-de-Fonds and is believed to be the successor to Brandt, Jeanrenaud & Robert (or Robert, Brandt et Jeanrenaud). In 1888, Louis, Edouard and Fritz Brandt continued the company.