Dual time zone pocket watch with split-center seconds
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1890
This Swiss-made pocket watch, dated circa 1890, features a heavy 18K pink gold four-body bassine et filets case measuring 55 mm in diameter. The timepiece is designed with two independently adjustable concentric dials, enabling the display of time in 12-hour and 24-hour formats.
All functions, including the 12-hour and 24-hour hour hands, the minute hands, and the center-seconds, are driven from the center. The watch includes a continuous center-seconds hand with a split-seconds function that can be stopped and rejoined; however, it lacks a return-to-zero mechanism. Setting the dual time zones is facilitated by two protected buttons on the case flanking the crown, while a button in the band at 12 o'clock controls the split-seconds.
The 19-ligne movement is a three-quarter plate matte gilt caliber, jeweled to the center with screwed gold chatons and featuring a lateral lever escapement with a compensation balance.
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
- Dual time zone pocket watch
- Diameter
- 55 mm
- Case type
- Four-body, bassine et filets
- Escapement
- Lateral lever
- Case material
- 18K pink gold
- Serial number
- 60049
- Balance spring
- Blued steel Breguet overcoil
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
Design
- Visible features
- • Case features two buttons flanking the crown for time adjustment • White enamel dial includes inner Roman numerals for 12-hour display and outer Arabic numerals for 24-hour display • Outermost track on dial is calibrated to 300 units for chronograph functions • Six hands originate from the center
- Case and Dial Design
- The pocket watch is housed in an 18K pink gold, four-body, bassine et filets polished case, measuring 55 mm in diameter. It includes a hinged gold cuvette and is fitted with two protected buttons located on either side of the crown, which serve to adjust the two time zones independently. A further button is set into the case band at the 12 o'clock position to operate the split-seconds function. The two-piece white enamel dial is configured with nested time displays. The inner section uses Roman numerals for a 12-hour display, while the outer section uses an Arabic numeral ring for a 24-hour display. The dial includes an outer minute track and a peripheral chronograph track calibrated to 300 units. Hands are differentiated by material and color, featuring blued steel spade hands for the 12-hour display, gold spade hands for the 24-hour display, and blued steel hands for the chronograph functions.
- Condition and Attribution
- The auction description reports the object as being in excellent condition overall under their grading system, with the case and movement individually noted as being in very good condition. The dial is classified as very good, and the hands are identified as original. The piece is identified as Swiss-made, with a production date estimated to be circa 1890. The case is stamped with the serial number 60049.
- Movement and Chronograph Functionality
- The 19-ligne, matte gilt, three-quarter plate movement is jeweled to the center and utilizes screwed gold chatons. The technical specification includes a lateral lever escapement, a cut bimetallic compensation balance, and an index regulator. A blued steel Breguet balance spring with an overcoil is employed for regulation. A defining technical feature of this movement is that all six hands are driven from the center. The watch provides a continuous center-seconds hand with a split-seconds function that allows for stopping and resuming the timing hand. Unlike standard chronographs, the mechanism does not possess a return-to-zero function for the timing hand.
Identification
- Serial number
- 60049
- 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 movement is noted as requiring an overhaul
- Research required: The split-seconds chronograph lacks a return-to-zero function