Swiss Enamel Lapel Watch

Inventory number: PW1809014

Made in Switzerland circa 1890, 31mm, 18K gold case with painted enamel and diamond-set brooch. The enamel on the case depicts a peacock on one side, and a lighthouse landscape on the other side. 

Functions: hours and minutes.

Enamel

A vitreous substance whose main component is silica（also may have borax, lead, and potash）mixed with oxides (transition metals) that create a vast palette of colors. Enamel can be used to decorate metal surfaces, gold, silver, and copper.

Painting on the Enamel

A gold or copper plate is coated with base enamel then fired. The colors are in powder form which the enamel-painter dilutes as and when they are needed using an oily or semi-oily essence, before applying them with a fine brush. Each color is dried then fired before the next is applied. A work can be fired numerous times.