Fritz Courvoisier Cabriolet Lady's Pendant Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1850
This 18K gold lady's pendant watch, attributed to Fritz Courvoisier of Locle and dating to approximately 1850, features a distinctive cabriolet construction. The timepiece is housed in an outer three-body case featuring royal blue translucent enamel panels, intricate gold vine and foliage detailing, and a central painted oval scene of a Swiss landscape.
The inner case incorporates a chased foliate bezel and a hinged back decorated with a painted alpine floral landscape. It includes a hinged gold cuvette protecting the movement. The watch employs a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial, completed by blued steel Breguet-style hands. The internal mechanism is a frosted gilt bar-caliber movement with 13 jewels, an uncut bimetallic compensation balance, and a detached lever escapement.
The watch is signed and numbered on the cuvette, with matching serial numbers found on the case components.
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
- Date
- circa 1850
- Type
- Cabriolet pendant watch
- Maker
- Fritz Courvoisier
- Dimensions
- 43 mm
- Escapement
- Detached lever
- Provenance
- Antiquorum, Hong Kong, February 20, 2005, lot 29
- Case Material
- 18K gold
- Movement Type
- Bar caliber, 13-jewels
- Serial Number
- 14263
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Fritz Courvoisier
Design
- Visible features
- • Case features royal blue translucent enamel panels with white-edged gold vine leaf ornamentation. • The inner case back is decorated with a painted floral scene set against an alpine landscape. • The movement is a frosted gilt bar-caliber type with 13 jewels. • Blued steel Breguet-style hands indicate time on a white enamel dial.
- Movement and Dial Details
- The timepiece is powered by a frosted gilt, bar-caliber movement. Technical specifications include 13 jewels, an uncut bimetallic compensation balance, and a detached lever escapement. The watch uses an index regulator and a blued steel flat balance spring. The movement is signed and numbered on the gold cuvette. The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals and is paired with an outer minute track. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the bottom of the dial. Time is indicated by blued steel Breguet-style hands, which remain original according to the provided condition notes.
- Case Construction and Enamelwork
- The watch utilizes a cabriolet case design consisting of an inner and outer assembly. The outer case is a three-body, hinged configuration finished with royal blue translucent enamel panels, which are bordered by white enamel and gold vine leaf foliage. A central oval scene depicting a Swiss landscape is painted on the exterior. The inner case features a chased foliate bezel and a hinged back. The back cover is decorated with a detailed painting of flowers set within an alpine landscape, surrounded by a royal blue and gold border. A gold cuvette is hinged to protect the movement from the elements.
- Provenance and Condition Reporting
- The object was previously offered for sale by Antiquorum in February 2005 as lot 29. The current lot bears the same reference and serial number, providing continuity in its documented history. The auction house assigns an overall grading of 'AA', indicating a 'Very Good' status. The case and movement are specifically rated as 'Good' (3-55 and 3* respectively), while the dial is rated as 'Good' (3-01).
Identification
- Serial number
- 14263
- 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 exact extent of restoration or surface wear is not detailed beyond a general grading of 'Good'.
- Research required: The historical accuracy of the specific floral/alpine scene attribution is not verified.