Tiny French gold watch, with shell covered outer case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance bridge. Four round pillars. Signed “L’Epine, A Paris”. All in very good original condition with the gilding unscratched and bright. Running a little fast (gaining about 5 mins per hour).

DIAL : Fully signed white enamel with unusual pink outer chapter ring. In perfect condition. Good quality fancy gilt hands.

INNER CASE : High carat solid gold. Rubbed maker’s mark. Good condition with just some light bruises on the back. The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly. Good high dome crystal with no damage.

OUTER CASE : Gilt brass with shell covering. About 40% of the shell is missing from the bezel and a few chips around the edge on the back. The hinge and catch are fine and the bezel snaps shut correctly.

Jean Antoine Lepine worked in Paris (from Geneva) from 1744 until 1810. During some of this time he was the horologer to Louis XV.