George L'Enfant 18K Gold and Jeweled Novelty Helmet Watch Case for Tiffany & Co.
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1960
This novelty watch case is designed in 18-karat gold as a medieval knight's helmet engraved with decorative scrollwork. The crest of the helmet is mounted with a turquoise cabochon stone set within leafy prongs, while cabochon rubies accent the visor hinges.
The face guard opens to deploy a spring-loaded manual-winding watch signed by retailer Tiffany & Co. Produced in Paris by George L'Enfant circa 1960, the reverse of the concealed watch is marked 'TIFFANY & CO FRANCE 18K' alongside patent designations.
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
- Novelty purse watch
- Height
- 1 7/8 in. (4.8 cm.) closed
- Retailer
- Tiffany & Co.
- Maker's Mark
- George L'Enfant
- Form and Gems
- Knight's helmet with turquoise and rubies
- Place recorded
- France
- Case Inscriptions
- TIFFANY & CO FRANCE 18K, BREVETE S.G.D.G MODELE DESPOSE PATENTED
- Movement Mechanism
- Spring-loaded manual movement watch
- Maker / attribution
- George L'Enfant
Design
- Visible features
- • Engraved scroll patterns cover the yellow gold helmet shell and visor. • A rounded turquoise cabochon is seated in a foliate collar on top of twisted rope detailing. • A small cabochon ruby is visible at the side hinge pivot. • Slotted eye and breath openings are pierced through the visor front.
- Condition and Provenance
- The source describes the object as being in 'good condition' with some minor wear and tiny scratches. Christie's does not guarantee the working order of the watch. Provenance for this lot is listed as Annie Laurie Crawford, later Aitken (1900-1984).
- Mechanism and Retail Markings
- The internal watch is a manual-winding movement. The watch face is signed by the retailer, Tiffany & Co. The reverse of the watch is engraved with 'TIFFANY & CO FRANCE 18K' and includes the markings 'BREVETE S.G.D.G' and 'MODELE DESPOSE PATENTED'. The piece is attributed to the French maker George L'Enfant and dated to circa 1960.
- Object Identity and Construction
- This novelty watch is housed in an 18-karat gold case sculpted into the form of a medieval knight’s helmet, finished with engraved scrollwork. The visor, which features pierced eye and breath openings, functions as a mechanism that opens to reveal the concealed watch. Ornamentation includes a turquoise stone mounted on the helmet's crest, set above rope detailing, and two cabochon rubies serving as hinge pivots for the face guard.
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: The watch face and internal manual movement are not visible in this closed view.
- Research required: Christie's explicitly notes that the working order of watches is not guaranteed.