Polychrome French verge in unusual case

A substantial Paris verge with a nicely painted dial and very unusual case.

MOVEMENT : Gilt verge movement, with engraved and pierced balance bridge, large silver regulator disk and four round pillars. Signed Le Roy, A PARIS and numbered 1804.

In good condition and running well.

DIAL : A very attractive painted polychrome dial, with a lakeside scene surrounded by a decorative border. In good condition with no repairs and just 2 light hairlines running across the white face of the dial from 6.

Fancy gilt hands.

CASE : A large gilt and horn (or marine shell ?) case, with unusual gilt floral border to the gilt bezel, and a horn back decorated in the centre with a very ornate gilt balance bridge. Large gilt stem and bow.

The gilt bezels, stem and bow all show wear to the gilding, with the base metal showing though in places. The decorative floral border to the front is a bit tarnished. The horn/shell back has a few light scratches but no cracks or pieces missing, and the inset gilt balance bridge is fine.

The high dome crystal is good, and the bezel snaps shut nicely.

The diameter of the movement is smaller the the case, so leaves a gap visible when the bezel is open. But when closed this is totally hidden by the silver decorative ring fitted to the inside of the bezel. This appears to be original, so I’m not sure if the case and movement are original to each other.

The ornamental gilt balance bridge, embedded in the back, is much earlier than the rest of the watch, and is typical of French watches from the very early 18th century.

The watch is accompanied by a fitted, easel backed, black and gilt case, lined with cream satin and blue velvet. In excellent condition.