French Miniature Three-Colour Gold Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th century
This miniature pocket watch is attributed to France, dating to the late 18th century. The dial is crafted from gold with engine-turned decoration and applied gold Roman numerals, accompanied by blued steel Breguet-style hands.
The internal fusee movement, originally designed with a full gilt plate, has been converted to a cylinder escapement. The movement includes a pierced and engraved balance cock with a garnet endstone, a simple three-arm balance, a silvered regulator dial, and a large steel escape wheel. The piece is described as a miniature, although specific dimensions are not provided. The movement contains a signature on the bridge.
The object is presented as an example of decorative miniature horology from the late 18th century period.
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
- Miniature pocket watch
- Hands
- Blued steel Breguet-style
- Period
- late 18th century
- Case type
- Consular
- Case material
- 18-karat gold
- Movement type
- Fusee with later cylinder escapement conversion
- Place recorded
- France
- Dial decoration
- Engine-turned (guilloché)
- Country of origin
- France
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in a consular-style case fabricated from 18-karat three-colour gold. The exterior back of the case is decorated with a relief scene depicting a dog in pursuit of birds, incorporating the three-colour gold palette. The sides of the body feature intricate engravings and coordinated decorative motifs. The dial is constructed from gold and exhibits an engine-turned finish. It displays applied gold Roman numerals. Time is indicated by blued steel hands in the Breguet style. A winding aperture is positioned directly on the dial surface.
- Visible features
- • Case back features a relief scene of a dog chasing birds in three-colour gold • Dial has engine-turned patterning and applied gold Roman numerals • Movement features a pierced balance cock with a garnet endstone • Presence of a silver regulator scale
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is a miniature fusee caliber with a full gilt plate. A significant feature of the movement is the balance cock, which is elaborately pierced and engraved, housing a garnet endstone within a polished steel base. The balance is a simple three-arm gilt version paired with a blued steel hairspring. According to the source documentation, the movement has been converted from its original configuration to a cylinder escapement. This assembly includes a large steel escape wheel. Regulation is managed via a silvered scale with a blued steel indicator hand.
- Documentation and Observations
- The watch is documented as a French miniature piece from the late 18th century. Specific dimensions in millimeters were not provided in the reference documentation. The movement bridge contains a signature, which is visible in the provided photographic records. The condition of the movement, including the fusee chain, the converted escapement, and the provenance of the signature, remains unverified by the provided information. Collectors are encouraged to conduct independent assessments of the mechanical integrity of the piece, as service records are not available.
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: Current functional status and service history are unknown
- Research required: The reported conversion to cylinder escapement and potential signature authenticity require independent verification