John WILLIAMSON, London, circa 1750 Pocket watch with three cases. The first is in gilded metal covered with green shagreen. It protects the second case, richly decorated using the repoussé technique, with traces of the tool used to work the 18k (750 thousandths) yellow gold. The scene depicts Mars and Venus surprised by Vulcan. Splendid! This second case encloses the watch, which is in smooth 18k (750 thousandths) gold of the utmost apparent simplicity. Manual mechanical movement with key (one present, one non-functional). Rooster movement, verge escapement. Barilet with fusee. Baseplate signed and numbered 453. Painted enamel dial with Roman numerals and divisions in Arabic numerals from 5' to 60'. Small lack of enamel at 6 o'clock. Very good condition. Functional at time of appraisal. Gross weight: 107.5 g.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.