18ct yellow gold & Enamel Moser & Cie Chinese duplex watch with enamel scene attributed to Dupont - 'Apollo's Embrace'. Made 1820

Information

• Brand: Moser & Cie 
• Made: 1820
• Model: Pocketwatch
• Reference: N/A
• Calibre: Foliate engraved gilt Chinese caliber with standing barrel jeweled to the center wheel, duplex escapement, three-arm balance with blued steel wings, flat balance spring, index regulator
• Movement: Manual
• Material: 18ct yellow gold & Enamel
• Features/complications: Bezel decorated with translucent Royal blue enamel lappets, pale green enamel and engraved gold pattern. The caseback features a finely painted enamel scene of Apollo embracing his lover
• Dial: White enamel dial featuring Roman numerals and outer minute and seconds divisions with Arabic 15-minute numerals and blued steel ovoid hands
• Case dimensions: 53mm
• Bracelet/strap: N/A
• Accessories: -
• SKU: 1359

Essay

Heinrich Moser (1805-1874) born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, learned the basic watchmaking craftsmanship from his father. In 1848 Moser established a watch factory in his hometown where he emerged as one of Schaffhausen's leading industrial pioneers.

H Moser & Cie (Geneva) is a Swiss watch manufacturer found in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1828. Notable clients of H. Moser & Cie. at the time included Russian princes and members of the Imperial Court—most notably, Vladimir Lenin. 

The enamel painting on the spring back cover is thought to have been completed by Jean- François-Victor Dupont (1785-1863), according to many, the finest painter on enamel at the time. The piece shows Apollo embracing his lover, the figures exhibiting the three-dimensional depth and perspective characteristic of Dupont's work.