Swiss Silver and Enamel Centre Seconds Calendar Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Late 18th century
This open-face pocket watch was manufactured in Switzerland during the late 18th century. The watch is encased in silver with a ribbed middle band. The rear of the case displays a polychrome miniature enamel painting depicting two figures by a lake, set against an engine-turned background and bordered with translucent turquoise enamel.
The white enamel dial is configured with the time displayed in a sub-dial at the six o'clock position, accompanied by two upper sub-dials for date and day of the week, with the latter written in French. The movement is a gilt full-plate construction featuring fusee and chain transmission. It includes a bridge-style balance cock with intricate fretwork and a steel coqueret. Speed regulation is managed via a silver regulator disc equipped with a blue steel indicator.
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
- Calendar pocket watch
- Case material
- Silver
- Movement type
- Gilt full plate with fusee
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Escapement type
- Verge
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Date of manufacture
- late 18th century
- Decorative features
- Polychrome enamel scene
Design
- Visible features
- • Ribbed middle band on the silver case • French language days of the week on the calendar sub-dial • Engine-turned background under enamel work on the case back • Key-wind aperture visible at the six o'clock sub-dial
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement utilizes a gilt full-plate architecture, driven by a fusee and chain mechanism. The balance cock is executed in a bridge style, featuring manual fretwork and engraving accompanied by a steel coqueret. The balance assembly consists of a three-spoke gold-plated wheel paired with a blued steel hairspring. Regulation is handled by a silver regulator disc, which is adjusted using a blue steel indicator.
- Case and Dial Construction
- The watch features an open-face silver case characterized by a ribbed middle band. The reverse of the case is decorated with a polychrome enamel miniature depicting two individuals resting by a lake. This artistic scene is applied over an engine-turned background, further accented by translucent turquoise enamel borders. The white enamel dial exhibits a specialized layout. A dedicated sub-dial for time display is positioned at the six o'clock mark, featuring Arabic numerals and an integrated key-wind hole. Above this, two additional sub-dials provide calendar indications, showing the date and the days of the week, the latter inscribed in French. All temporal and calendar displays are operated via fine gold hands, while a central seconds hand traverses the primary dial.
- Condition and Maintenance Considerations
- The provided documentation emphasizes the importance of evaluating the condition of the watch's components. Potential purchasers are advised to inspect the rear enamel painting for any presence of hair-line cracks and to verify the integrity of the white enamel on the main dial, particularly around the apertures. Furthermore, the functionality of the internal mechanics requires assessment. Specifically, the condition of the fusee chain and the accuracy of the calendar adjustment mechanism are noted as critical points that necessitate detailed examination to ensure proper operation.
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 notes that buyers should examine the enamel for hair-line cracks
- Research required: The exact dimensions of the watch are not specified in the source text