Gold and Enamel Stone-Set Verge Pocket Watch by Isaac Soret & Fils
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
18th century
This 18th-century Swiss pocket watch is signed by the Geneva maker Isaac Soret & Fils. It is housed in a consular gold case, featuring intricate exterior ornamentation.
The reverse of the case contains an oval cartouche rendered in tri-color gold and enamel, depicting a basket of flowers and a bird. This central motif is encircled by a border of stones and semi-transparent green enamel applied over an engine-turned ground. The outer periphery is decorated with enameled floral motifs and a rope-patterned gold border. The front bezel is stone-set. The white enamel dial displays Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals, with winding performed directly through the dial.
The watch is powered by a full-plate fusee movement with a verge escapement. It features a pierced and engraved balance cock with a steel coqueret, a three-arm balance wheel, and a blued-steel spiral hairspring, adjusted via a silver regulator dial.
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
- Era
- 18th century
- Type
- Verge pocket watch
- Maker
- Isaac Soret & Fils
- Regulator
- Silver dial with blued steel hand
- Case material
- Gold
- Dial material
- White enamel
- Movement type
- Verge fusee
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Isaac Soret & Fils
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The watch features a white enamel dial designed for clear time reading. It utilizes Roman numerals to indicate the hours, while smaller Arabic numerals are used for the minutes. Winding is achieved directly through the dial, consistent with the period construction. The hands are of an openwork, pierced design and are further embellished with set stones, aligning with the ornamental treatment of the watch exterior. The dial layout serves both functional timekeeping and decorative purposes.
- Visible features
- • Oval cartouche on the case back depicts a basket of flowers and a bird • Dial features both Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals • Balance cock is finely pierced and engraved • Openwork hands are stone-set
- Movement and Escapement
- The interior mechanism is a full-plate gilt movement equipped with a fusee drive and a verge escapement. The balance cock is notable for its delicate pierced and engraved workmanship and includes a steel coqueret. The assembly incorporates a simple three-arm balance wheel with a gold finish. Regulation is controlled via a silver regulator dial with a blued steel hand. The movement also features a blued steel spiral hairspring. These components are signatures of the technical standards utilized by Isaac Soret & Fils during this period.
- Case and Exterior Decoration
- The watch is encased in a gold consular-style housing. The reverse case back displays an oval, tri-color gold cartouche featuring a floral basket and bird motif. This central element is surrounded by a ring of stones, set against a background of semi-transparent green enamel over an engine-turned surface. Additional decorative elements include an outer border of enameled vegetal patterns and a rope-like gold relief. The front bezel is stone-set, matching the aesthetic of the case back. The overall design integrates multiple precious materials and traditional enameling techniques.
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: Mechanical functionality has not been verified by the source
- Research required: Integrity of the enamel and individual stones is unverified
- Research required: Originality of the fusee chain assembly has not been confirmed