Lot 422

Bordier

A very fine and rare quarter repeating verge pocket watch and exquisitely painted enamel dial "Calliope"

The golden dial is chiselled and engraved with stylised flowers. In the centre is a finely painted enamel plaque depicting the muse Calliope, seated at the foot of a column stump with a writing tablet and stylus, surrounded by arched white enamel cartouches with Arabic numerals.

The Bordier brothers were associated watchmakers as early as 1794. In 1815, they worked at the Grand Mézel. In 1794, they took Roux and Romand into partnership, establishing the company Bordier, Roux, Romand & Cie. Between 1794 and 1811, they were specialised in automaton repeating watches as well as complicated or skeletonized watches, with perpetual calendar, often decorated with painted enamels, pearls and gemstones.