Gold and enamel verge by Melly Freres, Paris

A late 18th century, Paris verge in a fine gold case.

MOVEMENT : Nice quality gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance bridge, ruby or garnet endstone, large silver regulator disk, four round pillars and blued steel screws. Signed ‘Fres. Melly, A PARIS” .

All in very good condition and running well.

DIAL : Original white enamel dial, signed as the movement, In reasonable condition but with damage around the winding aperture and on the edge at 6.

Excellent gold hands.

CASE : A tri coloured solid gold case in very good condition. Rose and yellow gold with crystal border to the enamel plaque on the back.

The hinge is fine and the bezel snaps shut nicely, though the tiny stud (thumb piece) on the bezel is missing. The plaque on the back is worn, losing the definition of the portrait, and the border is missing a few tiny crystals. Good high dome crystal.

Melly Brothers (Ruel & Ferdinand) are recorded in Paris and Geneva during the late 18th century

PROVENANCE : From the Landrock collection of clocks and watches.
Horst Landrock was a German watchmaker and collector. During the mid 20th century he brought together an extensive collection of old timepieces of all kinds, which was one of the most important private collections in Germany.