SouvenirLeonard Bordier

SouvenirLeonard Bordier, Geneva, circa 1800. Magnificent and very rare 18 ct. gold and enamel pearl-set pendant watch with date. Oval, central, white enamel, Arabic numerals, outer minute divisions with fifteen-minute Arabic numerals, flanked at the bottom with a regulating sector and at the top with 31-day subsidiary dial. Gold Breguet hands. 19.5 x 33 mm, oval, hinged, plain gilt brass with conical pillars, fixed barrel, cylinder escapement, brass escape wheel, plain brass three-arm balance, flat balance spring, one-footed engraved cock, ruby endstoneSigned on the movement.Diam. 56 mm. Published in the Sandberg book, page 394-395. Notes Bordier Léonard (1750-1810)the son of Jacques, he was apprenticed to Moïse Alliez in 1765, and became Maître around 1773. He specialised in montres de fantaisie and decorative watches. His cases are veritable chefs-d'ouvre, enriched by pearls, precious and semi-precious stones, painted enamels and paillons. He used classical, fusee type movements with verge and cylinder escapements.'Dictionnaire des Horlogers Genevois', Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.