Although clearly not painted by the sanie hand as the watch signed by Champion included in this sale, the quality of the enamel is exceptional, and was certainly the work of a contemporary artist. The subject treated on the case represents three scenes from the Aethiopica of Helidor of Emesa. They are taken directly from a series of roundels painted on copper by Charles Poerson (1609 - 1667),each aproximately 20.5cm. in diameter, which are preserved in the Louvre and the Leegenhoek-Serre Collection (in the latter, the mythological subject is incorrectly ascribed). Following the course of the story the scenes are as follows: Back of case (exterior): Theagène receives the flaming torch from the hand of Chariclée. Front cover (exterior): The Abduction of Chariclée by Theagène (painting in the Louvre RF 1974, 16). Front cover (interior): Queen Persina of Ethiopa recognises Chariclée as her daughter. Back of case (interior): Figures in a landscape. Band of case: Four gold framed vignettes depicting figures in a landscape, each separated by a trophy of amis within the mouth of a grotesque mask. The Blois school cases are arguably the finest examples of painting on enamel and were therefore not only highly prized when originally made, but remained as art treasures in the centuries that followed, as evinced by this watch, which was deemed of sufficient quality to merit a new movement made by Romilly at the end of the 18th century. It seems almost certain that the fitted case vas also manufactured at this date.