Ernest Borel Ladies Cocktail Kaleidoscope Dial Wristwatch

Technical characteristics

Type

Cocktail watch

Lug width

11 mm

Case length

32.6 mm lug to lug

Case diameter

25 mm

Case markings

ERNEST BOREL SWISS

Case thickness

9.7 mm

Place recorded

Switzerland

Movement caliber

Synchron 26, 17 jewels

Maker / attribution

Ernest Borel

Design

Visible features

• Gold-toned case with curved fancy lugs spanning across the strap attachment • Rotating central kaleidoscopic disc with petal-like black and gold geometric design • Dual red triangular pointer arrows pointing outward/inward near the perimeter • Dial perimeter is inscribed 'BOREL', 'MODELE DEPOSE', 'Cocktail', and 'SWISS PATENT' • Black leather strap decorated with a gold-toned interlocking loop chain motif

Dial and Case Construction

The watch features a gold-toned circular case fitted with curved fancy lugs extending across the strap attachment. Based on dealer measurements, the case measures 25 mm in diameter, 32.6 mm lug to lug, 9.7 mm in thickness, and has a lug width of 11 mm. The dealer also records the case markers as reading 'ERNEST BOREL SWISS'. The dial displays a rotating central kaleidoscopic mystery disc executed in a black and gold geometric petal design. Time is marked by dual red pointer arrows positioned near the perimeter, alongside printed inscriptions including 'BOREL', 'Cocktail', 'MODELE DEPOSE', and 'SWISS PATENT'.

Strap and Chronological Context

The watch is mounted on what the dealer describes as an 'Original Ernest Borel Swiss black leather two-piece strap', visually exhibiting a gold-toned interlocking loop chain motif. The dealer notes the strap fits a wrist size up to 17.2 cm (6 3/4 inches). The seller dates the watch to the '1950's' and notes that the Cocktail model was patented in 1952 and introduced in 1953, continuing in production through approximately 1980 by which time the brand had been acquired by another concern. However, the reported 'Synchron 26' movement signature is associated with the later Synchron era, creating tension with the seller's 1950s dating that cannot be resolved without serial numbers or maker hallmarks.

Reported Movement and Operating Mechanism

The dealer reports that the watch is powered by a 17-jewel Swiss mechanical movement signed 'Synchron 26', described as unadjusted, and notes the presence of a 'display case back'. However, because no image of the case back or uncased movement is provided in the visual record, these internal details cannot be visually confirmed. The dealer description contains directly contradictory statements regarding the winding mechanism, designating the item as an 'automatic cocktail wristwatch' while immediately stating 'It is a manual wind watch'. The exact operating winding system remains unresolved in the source.

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.