Rare 1700s Franco-Swiss verge pocket watch

A large solid silver Swiss pocket watch with a complex astronomical painted dial. 
Although the movement of this watch is not signed by a particular maker, the quality of the movement and the fine craftmanship indicates that this was most likely made in the Swiss region of France in the late 1700s in an exquisite French style. Similar watches have been made by well-known makers such as Courvoisier Freres. Originally this type of watch would have been described as a sport watch.  However, there is little documentation to show that this type of watch was ever used in any sport competition.
The case is made in the traditional Franco-Swiss style, manufactured from solid silver and gilded with a 22-carat yellow gold.  
The dial is made of porcelain, delicately painted, with an astronomical dial showing the calendar month and date along with the signs of the zodiac and its corresponding month.  The dial also possesses an interesting feature – the balance wheel is visible in the upper part.  The subsidiary dial displays the time, unusually this dial appears in the lower part of the main face. The dial is in fine condition throughout, with only minor damage around the centre of the subsidiary dial showing the time.
All the functions of the pocket watch work correctly, with the two hands on the daily dial moving forwards independently every 24 hours.  The monthly markers, including the zodiac, move forward every 31 days.   The fusee verge movement is in good working order, showing no sign of inadequate repairs.  Most of the gilding is present on the main plates and the parts, showing that the pocket watch has been treated with care over the years, adding value to the integrity of the piece. Although the watch keeps fairly good time and all the calendar parts are moving as intended, this is a museum piece, not an everyday watch and should be treated accordingly.
For purchase please call or email