Anonymous Double-Sided Astronomic Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1830
This double-sided astronomical pocket watch, catalogued as Lot 278 by Auktionen Dr. Crott, dates to circa 1830 with origin reported as France. It features a 59 mm silver case with remnants of gilding and a white enamel front dial.
The front displays central hours and minutes alongside peripheral subsidiary chapter rings for small seconds, zodiac signs, months with length, calendar date, seasons, moon age, and days of the week with planetary symbols. The auction house reports that the reverse features an enamel dial with a power reserve indicator and a visible brass balance under an ornate bridge, powered by a full-plate verge escapement movement with chain and fusee.
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
- Type
- Astronomical pocket watch
- Origin
- France
- Weight
- 139 g
- Escapement
- Verge escapement
- Case diameter
- 59 mm
- Case material
- Silver with remains of gilding
- Movement type
- Full plate movement, chain/fusee
- Place recorded
- France
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel front dial featuring a central chapter ring with Arabic numerals surrounded by seven subsidiary indicators. • Prominent circular bow and spherical pendant attached to the silver case at the 12 o'clock position. • Lower subsidiary dial between 7 and 8 o'clock decorated with pictorial zodiac figures. • Gilt openwork hands visible on the central time display and select subsidiary dials.
- Dial Configuration
- The front of the watch features a white enamel dial with a central chapter ring for hours and minutes, surrounded by subsidiary indicators for small seconds, zodiac signs, months with their lengths, calendar date, seasons, moon age, and days of the week with corresponding planetary symbols. Gilt openwork hands are present on the central time display and select subsidiary dials. The reverse side contains an enamel dial featuring a power reserve indicator and a visible balance located beneath an ornate balance bridge. The dial condition is described as 'good' with 'hairlines'.
- Mechanism and Origin
- The timepiece is a full-plate movement featuring a chain and fusee mechanism and a verge escapement. It is equipped with a three-arm brass balance. The movement condition is reported as 'very good', with a recommendation for cleaning. The watch is attributed to France and dated to circa 1830. The maker is not specified.
- Case and External Construction
- The watch is housed in a 59 mm silver case, noted by the auction house to feature remnants of gilding. The case features a prominent circular bow and a spherical pendant attached at the 12 o'clock position. The total weight of the item is 139 g. The rim of the case bears an inscription in red: 'le temps quand il est passe il ne revient plus mettons à profit'. The auction house reports the case condition as 'very good'.
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: The reverse dial and movement interior described in the catalogue text are not visible in the supplied photograph.
- Research required: Maker is unspecified and catalogued as anonymous.