Watch came in trade for services/as a gift, from a post-WW2 Genrman refugee. He acquired it in Leipzig, during the chaos after the war was over.

As I understand it, there was no more counterfeited watch in the early 19th century than Breguet, and this is an obvious crude fake. But, it’s the inscription on the back which makes the watch interesting. I’ll let one of our German speaking compatriots offer a translation. But, apparently this watch was taken off a French soldier caught fleeing after their loss at the battle of Leipzig.

 

Vorgefunden bei einem franz(ösichen) Officier, welcher, bei der Retirade aus Leipzig, am 19. Okt(o)b(e)r. 1813. im Backofen den Jähnigschen Grundstücke,s an der Pleisse erstickt ist. I think that I identified letters correctly.
Found near French officer who was choked during the retreat from Leipzig on 19. October in Oven (baking oven?) of Jähnig property by the Pleisse (river).
I apologize if I made some misinterpretations in German and English, since that I am not a native speaker of neither of languages, but I would say as professional archaeologist that this is definitely a museum piece, since that it bears amazing information about important historical moment.

 

That piece is really interesting, and I'm sure a museum would learn something from it. Thanks for sharing the story!