Ecole d'Horlogerie Genève graduate's pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1940
This Swiss pocket watch is identified as a graduate's work from the École d'horlogerie de Genève (Geneva Watchmaking School). Dated to circa 1940, the watch features a 52 mm silver case with a gold crown, hinge, and shackle, weighing 103 grams.
The dial is enamel, featuring Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds sub-dial. The timepiece contains a bridge movement with a lever escapement and a Guillaume screw compensation balance. It is noted in the source documentation to bear the Poinçon de Genève hallmark. The watch is classified as a 'Montre École', reflecting the school's historical curriculum where students manufactured, assembled, and regulated complete timepieces independently as part of their training.
The auction description reports that the movement is capable of running, although cleaning is recommended for future maintenance.
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
- Pocket watch
- Maker
- École d'horlogerie de Genève
- Weight
- 103 g
- Reference
- 4320-640
- Dimensions
- 52 mm
- Case Number
- 133
- Case Material
- Silver
- Dial Material
- Enamel
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Number
- 237.1
- Maker / attribution
- École d'horlogerie de Genève
Design
- Visible features
- • White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals • Visible gold-colored crown and shackle • Handwritten number 237.1 on the case back • Subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position
- Institutional Context
- The object is identified as a 'Montre École', representing the instructional curriculum of the École d'horlogerie de Genève. This program required students to independently manage the design, manufacturing, assembly, and regulation of a watch. The piece bears the Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal), a hallmark associated with the institution and the broader canton.
- Movement and Escapement
- The timepiece is powered by a bridge-style movement, identified by reference Cal. 4320-640 and movement number 237.1. The mechanism utilizes a lever escapement for timekeeping regulation. To ensure precision, the watch incorporates a Guillaume screw compensation balance. The auction description reports that the movement is in very good condition and is currently capable of running, though it specifies that professional cleaning is recommended.
- Construction and Materials
- The pocket watch is constructed with a 52 mm silver case. Additional physical elements include a gold crown, hinge, and shackle, which provide a distinct aesthetic contrast to the silver body. The watch has a total weight of 103 grams. The dial is made of enamel and features a traditional layout with Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds indicator positioned at the six o'clock mark. The design is consistent with the output expected of the school's pedagogical approach to watchmaking during this period.
Identification
- Reference
- 4320-640
- Serial number
- 133
- 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 does not specify the materials of the gold-toned components
- Research required: The provenance of the handwritten number on the case back is not stated