Anonymous Heart-Shaped Brooch Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1800
This 18-karat gold heart-shaped brooch watch, attributed to Switzerland circa 1800, features a white enamel dial with dual subsidiary rings for the hours and date.
The piece is distinguished by a visible, diamond-set spiral-form balance, which serves as a central aesthetic and horological element. The watch is powered by a heart-shaped, gilt-brass full-plate movement utilizing a going barrel and a specific pirouette escapement; in this configuration, the balance staff is fitted with a pinion that gears into an intermediate wheel carrying the virgule, causing the balance to rotate multiple times in each direction.
The exterior is decorated with a diamond-set bezel, and the back includes an integrated winding shutter. The assembly is accompanied by its original gold key and a leather fitted box. Measuring 43 by 29 mm, it represents an early form of pendant watch developed in Geneva at the end of the eighteenth century.
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
- Case
- Two piece shaped case
- Dial
- White enamel
- Type
- Brooch watch
- Material
- 18 ct. gold
- Movement
- Heart shape gilt brass full plate
- Dimensions
- 43 x 29 mm
- Escapement
- Virgule with pirouette
- Included items
- Gold key and leather box
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a two-piece gold case shaped in the form of a heart. The exterior of the bezel is fully set with diamonds, following the perimeter of the heart shape. The white enamel dial is arranged with two subsidiary rings; one ring displays the Breguet hour chapter, while the other indicates the date. Positioned centrally between these two rings is an aperture revealing the spiral-form balance, which is itself decorated with diamonds. The hands are fashioned from blued steel in the Breguet style, providing a contrast to the white enamel surface.
- Visible features
- • The bezel is densely set with diamonds. • Dial features two distinct subsidiary rings for time and calendar functions. • The watch case is configured in the shape of a heart. • A winding shutter is located on the back of the watch.
- Movement and Escapement
- The heart-shaped movement is constructed on a gilt brass full plate. It features a going barrel and an unconventional virgule escapement incorporating a pirouette mechanism. This arrangement is highly specific, as the balance staff is fitted with a pinion that gears into an intermediate wheel carrying the virgule. As a result of this specific configuration, the balance is driven to revolve several times in each direction, rather than oscillating in a conventional fashion. This movement is identified as an early type of form watch produced in Geneva towards the conclusion of the eighteenth century, marking it as a rare example within the lineage of pendant and ring watches.
- Provenance and Documentation
- The auction description notes the presence of original components, specifically citing the inclusion of the original gold key and a period leather fitted box. These items accompany the watch as part of the lot. According to the auction notes, this object is considered the only recorded example known to feature this specific pirouette escapement configuration. It is categorized within the broader family of pendant and ring watches, serving as an indicator of early Geneva form-watch manufacture.
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 source claims it is the only recorded example with a pirouette escapement, which remains unverified by third-party research.
- Research required: The attribution to Switzerland circa 1800 is given without a specific maker's signature.