Unique French gold and enamel chatelaine watch Circa 1820

Diamond and pearl set gold chatelaine watch
–
A unique gold, enamel, diamond and pearl set museum quality chatelaine watch with an extremely rare bagnolet caliber made by E. Duris in Paris, France, circa 1820. The open faced case of this watch is crafted from 18 carat gold and is punched by Jules Frères, has a very thin and finely reeded band, is set with oriental half pearls on both sides and the back has engine turned blue enamel with interesting applied gold ornaments. The screwed white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track and steel filigree Breguet hands. The signed, super thin bagnolet caliber movement has a cylinder escapement. The original 18 carat gold and enamel chatelaine is also set with oriental pearls and diamonds, is equipped with two signets and the original bagnolet key. A special feature is that the loops of the key and signet are made in form of enamelled snakes. Accompanied by the original presentation box.
Movement signed.
–
Diameter watch: 33 mm
–
Weight watch: 26 g.
–
Length chatelaine: 12 cm
–
Weight chatelaine: 50 g.
–
Signed: Ene Duris 7 Rue du Bouloi Paris
–
The present watch is in working order and in this version a unique, museum quality, collector’s piece. Pocket watches with a bagnolet caliber in simple gold cases are already searched for collector’s items. No other watch in this magnificent design is known.
–
Bagnolet caliber
The bagnolet caliber was invented by Genevan watchmaker Philippe Samuel Meylan (1772-1845), it allowed make the watches thinner. A bagnolet movement is one in which the balance is on the dial side of the movement. Meylan developed the bagnolet concept in 1800. It permitted a larger balance wheel to be used, increasing accuracy. The dial was affixed to the case rather than the movement with a complete plate on the rear side.