Ecole d'Horlogerie Genevoise Pièce École Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
29 May 1981
This manual wind open-face chronometer pocket watch is a 'Pièce École' created by Olivier Comte as part of his training at the Ecole d'Horlogerie Genevoise. The watch features an 18k yellow gold polished case with a glazed snap-on case back.
The enamel dial displays Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position, accompanied by blue steel Cathédrales hands. The watch is powered by a Patek Philippe caliber, which is a 19-jewel, 19''' gilt-brass movement. This movement is entirely hand-engraved with floral and scroll decoration and features the Geneva Seal stamped twice on the main plate and bridge. Technical specifications include a going barrel, a straight-line lever escapement, and a cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws.
Regulation is achieved through a polished steel swan-neck micrometric regulator. The watch is accompanied by its original box and related documentation.
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
- Manual wind open-face chronometer pocket watch
- Maker
- Olivier Comte
- Weight
- 103 grams
- Diameter
- 51 mm
- Jewel Count
- 19
- Case Material
- 18k yellow gold
- Included items
- Original box and bulletin de marche
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Caliber
- 19'''
- Maker / attribution
- Olivier Comte
- Movement Decoration
- Hand-engraved floral and scroll
Design
- Case and Dial
- The timepiece is housed in an 18k yellow gold polished case measuring 51 millimeters in diameter. It is designed as an open-face watch with a traditional crown at the twelve o'clock position. The case features a glazed snap-on case back, which provides visibility of the internal components without requiring the removal of the back. The dial is crafted from enamel and features Roman numerals for the hour markers. An outer minute track surrounds the dial, and a subsidiary seconds dial is located at six o'clock. The time is indicated by a set of blue steel Cathédrales hands. The dial is signed with the name of the horological school.
- Visible features
- • Entire movement bridge and plate surfaces are heavily engraved with floral motifs • Dial features blue steel hands of the Cathédrales style • Case back is fitted with a glass exhibition window • Dial is signed with the school name and features Roman numerals
- Movement and Escapement
- The watch is powered by a 19''' gilt-brass movement by Patek Philippe, which has been modified and finished by Olivier Comte. The movement contains 19 jewels and is entirely decorated with hand-engraved floral and scrollwork on the plates and bridges. It bears the Poinçon de Genève, stamped twice to certify the quality of its finish. The technical assembly includes a going barrel and a straight-line lever escapement. Timekeeping accuracy is managed by a cut bimetallic compensated balance fitted with gold poising screws and a blued steel hairspring with a terminal curve. The rate is adjusted using a polished steel swan-neck micrometric regulator.
- Provenance and Documentation
- This watch was created as a 'Pièce École' at the Ecole d'Horlogerie Genevoise. The project was completed by student Olivier Comte and is dated to 29 May 1981. The auction description reports that the lot is sold with its original box and a bulletin de marche, registered as number 22621. Additional materials include copies of various articles related to the watch and the maker.
Identification
- Serial number
- 589
- 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 mentions a 'hairline' in the enamel dial grading section
- Research required: The exact origin of the Patek Philippe movement blank used for the project is not detailed beyond the caliber size