Note: This exceptional watch belongs to a small group decorated in various ways over a turquoise or bleu mourant ground. Five complete examples of large size and dating from circa 1650, are currently known, and it may be that they are all the work of one, or perhaps two enamellers, despite the differing signatures. They are listed below in the approximate order of their discovery: 1. Watch by Eduardus East Londini, case decorated with small relief flowers in pink and white, interspersed amongst grisaille foliage around the band and cover. Interior of the case and dial centre with ruins in landscapes. Diamond ribbon pendant. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.( Illust. and described frequently, viz: G.H.Baillie, Watches, London 1929, p.137, pl.X)(XV and C. Cardinal, La Montre, Fribourg 1985, p.128, ill.96. 2. Watch by Jehan Cremsdorff, Paris, case decorated in champleve, relief and grisaille enamel set with diamonds on the exterior, the interior surfaces with grisaille scenes of the Three Graces. Private Collection.Sold Christie's, Geneva,13 May 1986, lot 237. 3. Watch by Jacob Cornelius, London, case decorated with small relief flowers in white, amongst grisaille foliage on the band and back, the dial with champleve summer flowers. Formerely Webster Collection, London. Sold by Sotheby's, London, 27 May 1954, lot 44. (Illust. and described in G.H.Baillie, op cit., p.137, pl.XII.) 4. Watch by Pierre Foucher, Paris, case decorated with grisaille lace and acanthus foliage on a plain ground, dial matching. Diamond ribbon pendant. Private Collection. Sold Christie's, Geneva, 20 November 1991, lot 224. 5. Watch by P.Vernede, Bordeaux, case plain, the back encircled by a band of polychrome summer flowers, dial matching case band. Enamelled pendant. Private Collection. Sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, 25 April 1993, lot 346 It is possible to draw comparisons between certain of the watches listed above and the watch offered for sale. Items 3 & 5 show a marked similarity in their colour and the application of polychrome flowers, and they are both of pale turquoise background. Item 4 is different in decorative style, but similar in feeling and also pale in colour. Item 2 demonstrated a quite extraordinary mixture of technique and styles, although incorporating grisaille figures and diamond mounts. Iteml, although decorated with motifs on the exterior, displays very similar landscapes on the inside to those inside the Grendon. If not by the same hand, they are certainly drawn from the same source and executed in the same stippled technique. It is interesting to note that it is also with an English movement-Edward East- and although the painting of both watches is undoubtedly by a 'Blois' artist, it may be that they were identically sourced. The recently discovered example, now offered for sale, exhibits the finest quality of painting of any in the group, and is clearly the work of a master enameller, although attributions are extremely difficult with Blois enamels in view of the paucity of signed examples. The inclusion of small flecks of gold in the cartouches is exceptionally rare, one other example (perhaps the only), being on a watch attributed to Henri Toutin, son of Jean Toutin who has in the past been accredited with the invention of the technique of painting in enamels, but more likely was amongst the earliest practioners of the art.