Swiss 19th-century open-face pocket watch with spare dial
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This 19th-century Swiss pocket watch is an open-face, key-wound timepiece constructed in 18-karat gold. The watch is decorated with translucent green engine-turned enamel and inset diamonds in a central oval motif on the reverse.
The original dial is gold with an engine-turned pattern, black Roman numerals, and blued steel Breguet-style hands. The watch is accompanied by a leather storage case, a winding key, and a separate white enamel spare dial featuring Roman numerals. The internal gold cuvette is engraved with the maker's mark 'D & C'. The gilt bar movement incorporates a suspended going barrel, a polished steel regulator, a simple three-spoke gilt balance, and a blued steel hairspring.
The escapement is a polished steel cylinder type. The current assembly, along with its accessories, fits into a fitted rectangular case.
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
- Open-face key-wound pocket watch
- Country
- Switzerland
- Movement
- Gilt bar movement
- Signature
- D & C
- Escapement
- Cylinder escapement
- Spare dial
- White enamel
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- D & C
Design
- Visible features
- • The case back features an engine-turned pattern under translucent green enamel. • The watch includes a separate white enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers. • The internal cuvette bears the signature 'D & C'. • The hands are blued steel with a circular loop design.
- Dial and Accessories
- The primary dial is crafted from gold and features a central engine-turned guilloché pattern. The hours are indicated by black Roman numerals, complemented by blued steel Breguet-style hands. A second, spare dial is included with the watch. This spare is a white enamel disc featuring black Roman numerals. Both the spare dial and the winding key are held in place within the provided storage case.
- Movement and Escapement
- The timepiece utilizes a key-wound, gilt bar movement. Technical components include a suspended going barrel and a polished steel regulator. The balance assembly consists of a simple three-spoke gilt balance paired with a blued steel hairspring. The escapement is a cylinder type constructed from polished steel. The source notes that specific functional testing has not been performed on the movement components.
- Case and Enamel Decoration
- The watch is housed in an 18-karat gold open-face case. The back of the case is decorated with translucent green enamel applied over an engine-turned ground. At the center of the design is an oval motif set with small diamonds. The perimeter of the case features fluted edges, and the watch is fitted with a matching gold pendant and bow. Access to the movement and winding mechanism is provided through an internal gold cuvette, which carries the maker's mark 'D & C'. The watch is accompanied by its original fitted rectangular leather storage case, designed with dedicated compartments for the timepiece, the winding key, and the spare dial.
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 source recommends evaluating the status of the steel cylinder and the condition of the enamel.
- Research required: The source notes that there is no specific information provided regarding the functional status of the engine.