Technically highly interesting Swiss double sided watch Circa 1800

Pink gold double dialled verge watch
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A technically highly interesting double sided verge pocket watch with a pseudo pendulum and two time zones made by Robert & Courvoisier in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, circa 1800. The open faced case is crafted from 18 carat pink gold, glazed on both sides and marked with the maker’s mark FF.
A white enamel dial on the front with Arabic hours, outer minute markers, polychrome enamel decoration in the lower part and pink gold hands, the dial on the back is engine turned and features a decentralized second time zone, regulation in the center, a false pendulum above, this unique feature adds to the watch’s charm and makes it a special piece. The full plate movement boasts an unusual verge escapement, which is a common feature in watches of this era.
The front dial is signed.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Weight: 104 g
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Signed: Robert & Courvoisier
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Robert & Courvoisier
Robert & Courvoisier are clock and watchmakers from La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. The firm was founded in 1795 as a successor to J. Robert & Fils, Courvoisier. In 1770 the firm was originally established by Josué Robert (1691–1771). After Robert’s death, a year after the company was founded, the firm was renamed Josué Robert & Fils and was led by his son Louis Benjamin Robert (1732–1781). They mainly produced large clockworks, but as Benjamin’s son in law, Louis Courvoisier became a companion, pocket watches were put into production. When Louis Benjamin died, Louis Courvoisier became the manager of the firm. From 1787 to 1795 the firm was called J. Robert & Fils, Courvoisier. From 1795 to 1805 it was renamed Robert & Courvoisier. Since 1805 the firm’s name was Robert, Courvoisier & Cie with Philip Grandjean as a business partner. In 1852 it became Courvoisier Frères. The firm continued under the direction of various members of the Courvoisier family until the 1930’s. Along with the Jaquet-Droz firm, they were the most important makers of musical clocks and around the turn of the 18^th and 19^th centuries, their portable officers’ watches were famous.