Tulip-form pocket watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1820
This object is a Swiss-made form watch fashioned as a tulip bud, attributed to circa 1820. The exterior of the case is composed of 18ct yellow gold, ornamented with multicolored enamel and a border of small seed pearls.
Measuring approximately 24mm in diameter, the watch features a hinged case that opens to reveal an enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and gold spade-shaped hands. The internal mechanism is a verge movement. The watch is catalogued by the seller without an identified maker or workshop.
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 1820
- Type
- Enamel, form & pendant watch
- Material
- 18ct yellow gold, enamel, and seed pearls
- Movement type
- Verge
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
Design
- Visible features
- • Case shaped as a tulip bud with enamel petals and a pearl border • White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals and spade-shaped hands • Verge movement visible when the case is opened • Gold suspension loop at the top of the form
- Dial and Movement
- The interior of the form watch contains a white enamel dial with black Arabic numerals. It features gold spade-shaped hands used for time indication. The movement is specified as a verge type, which is a design characteristic consistent with the attributed date of the early 19th century. However, the documentation does not clarify the specific method of winding or the caliber of the movement.
- Case and External Features
- The watch is housed in a gold case designed to replicate the appearance of a tulip bud. The exterior is decorated with polychrome enamel work and features a row of small seed pearls along the meeting point of the hinged sections. A decorative gold loop is attached to the upper section for suspension. The case diameter is recorded as approximately 24mm. While the overall form is described in the source, specific technical details regarding the thickness, the integrity of the enamel, or the condition of the hinge mechanism are not documented in the provided information.
- Attribution and Documentation
- The object is attributed to Switzerland and dated to approximately 1820. The specific maker or workshop responsible for its creation is not identified in the records. The watch is tracked by the seller under the inventory code 1586. The source provides a record of the watch as catalogued by Somlo. No information is available regarding the history of ownership, maintenance records, or authenticity reports beyond the general attribution provided by the seller.
Identification
- Serial number
- 1586
- 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: Presence of musical function is unverified despite use of the term in reference field
- Research required: Exact mechanical state, including completeness of the movement and originality of parts, is not documented