Swiss Gold/Enamel Watch With Early Cylinder Escapement

A late 18th century Swiss cylinder in a very attractive gold and enamel case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt movement, with cylinder escapement, engraved and pierced balance bridge, silver regulator disk and four round pillars.

Signed ‘Breguet A PARIS’.

In good complete condition and running well.

DIAL : A fine, signed white enamel dial.

In excellent condition.

Good matching skeleton gold hands.

CASE : A gold and enamel case, with an enamel panel to the back showing a pastoral scene. The gold is unmarked except for a worn maker’s mark on the top of the stem (MC?).

The bezel and border to the back are decorated with a white enamel band, embellished with green and gold leaves. The back panel has a violet guilloche enamel inner border, surrounding a plaque showing two figures in a pastoral scene. The case tests as high carat gold.

The gold is in good condition with no significant damage or wear. The hinge is fine and the cover closes tightly. The high dome crystal has some light scratches but otherwise fine.

The enamel to the white borders on the bezel and back is complete, though there are three sections which are discoloured, probably indicating old restorations. The violet guilloche enamel to the back is perfect, and the plaque is also complete though has surface scratches.

Like many watches of this period, it is signed ‘Breguet’ but although a fine quality watch, it is not by Abraham Louis Breguet, and was probably made in Geneva.