A. Jaquet gold and enamel verge pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th century
This antique pocket watch dates to the late 18th century and is attributed to A. Jaquet, Paris. The case back incorporates a central oval medallion containing woven hair, surrounded by a gem-set frame and protective glass.
Both the front and rear bezels are adorned with a border of split natural pearls. The white enamel dial is signed "A. Jaquet A PARIS," displaying Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes, with blued steel Breguet-style hands. The watch operates via a full-plate gilt verge fusee movement, which includes a decorative pierced and engraved balance cock, a three-armed gilt balance with a blued steel spiral hairspring, and a silvered regulator plate.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- late 18th century
- Type
- Verge fusee pocket watch
- Hands
- Blued steel Breguet-style
- Dial type
- White enamel
- Case style
- Consular
- Case material
- 18k gold
- Movement type
- Verge fusee
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- A. Jaquet
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in an 18-karat gold consular case. The rear of the watch displays decorative translucent purple enamel applied over an engine-turned pattern. The perimeter of both front and back bezels is set with a continuous row of split natural pearls. The dial is composed of white enamel and is inscribed with the signature "A. Jaquet A PARIS." Time is indicated by Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for minutes, complemented by blued steel Breguet-style hands. The front glass bezel is hinged and operated via a button located on the case band, providing access to the winding aperture located on the dial.
- Visible features
- • Case back features translucent purple enamel over an engine-turned ground • Woven hair keepsake medallion at the center of the case back • Dial signature reads A. Jaquet A PARIS • Case bezel borders set with split natural pearls
- Historical Attribution
- The object is attributed to the maker A. Jaquet, based in Paris, and dates to the late 18th century. The signature is clearly visible on both the dial and the movement plate. The use of split pearls, translucent enamel, and mourning-style hair inserts points to high-end decorative techniques prevalent in the French horological trade during the specified period. No specific service history, timing results, or dimensions are provided in the source documentation.
- Movement and Escapement
- The timepiece utilizes a full-plate gilt verge fusee movement. The balance assembly features a decorative balance cock, which is pierced and finely engraved. The balance itself is a simple three-armed gilt design, regulated by a blued steel spiral hairspring. Adjustments to the timing are managed via a silvered regulator plate, which is indicated by a blued steel pointer. The movement incorporates jeweled components, indicating the operational arrangement of the verge escapement mechanism.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Presence of hairline cracks on the enamel dial or case back enamel
- Research required: Integrity of the fusee chain and verge escapement teeth
- Research required: Condition of the pearls and gemstones