Ca. Ø41.5mm, ca. 63g, 18K gold, back with finest agate and unique structure, signed and numbered verge movement No.195, especially beautiful verge bridge, exceptionally large silver regulating disc, hexagonal pillars, enamel dial (small restoration at the winding hole), very rare diamond set hands, intact, cleaning recommended. Verge watches with agate cases are exceptionally rare. Jean-Baptiste Baillon (de Fontenay) was a very famous and one of the richest watchmakers in Paris in the 18th century. He was appointed master watchmaker in 1727. His own manufactory was located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, where various watchmakers worked for him, which was quite exceptional for the time. The factory was under the management of Jean Jodin (1715-1761), but was closed in 1765. Ferdinand Berthoud was very impressed by Baillon's workshop, business size and excellent quality at the time. In 1753 Berthoud wrote about Baillon's shop: 'It is at present the most beautiful and richest watch shop. Diamonds were not only used on pocket watches, but even on large watches'. Baillon became a watchmaker at the court of Queen Marie Antoinette around 1770. Jean-Baptiste Baillon died exceptionally rich in 1772, his assets amounting to 384,000 livres. Copies of his movements can be found in museums in Paris, Toulouse, Brussels, Florence, London and New York, among others (source Dr. Crott).