Swiss 18 carat gold watch in beetle form with concealed dial Circa 1900

Gold Art Nouveau ladies’ pendant watch        
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A very fine and rare Swiss 18 carat gold, platinum, enamel and diamond set keyless Art Nouveau ladies’ pendant watch in the form of a beetle with matching brooch, circa 1900. The beetle shaped case has spring loaded, engine turned translucent green enamel wings set with rose cut diamonds in platinum mounts, opening to reveal the dial, a darker green enamelled, diamond set neck, a head also set with diamonds, the eyes of cabochon emerald and a hinged, realistically chased and engraved reverse. The cuvette is glazed. The small, concealed white enamel dial has black Arabic hour numerals and a red 12, an outer gilt dot minute track and gilt Louis XV hands. A gilt movement with a bar calibre, eight jewels, a cylinder escapement, three arm gilt balance, flat balance spring and an index regulator.
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Dimensions: 48 x 20.5 mm
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The present watch is an extremely fine example of a beetle (or scarab) watch. It’s in excellent condition and particularly interesting, being made in the Art Nouveau style and set with rose cut diamonds in platinum mounts, a technique which was being pioneered by Cartier around this time. Therefore, the maker of this watch was highly sophisticated and fully aware of new styles and developments in techniques in jewellery making.