Unsigned Silver and Enamel Pocket Watch for the Chinese Market
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1860-1880
This silver, open-face, key-winding pocket watch was created for the Chinese market during the late 19th century. Measuring 60.5 mm in diameter, the watch features a duplex-Jacot escapement and a dead-beat centre-seconds complication.
The exterior of the case is decorated with intricate champlevé enameling in light blue and polychrome, depicting various friezes and foliage. The center of the case back features a red flinqué enamel scene, presenting a portrait of a lady dressed in attire described as Renaissance-style. The movement, which has a caliber size of 22''', remains unsigned, though the auction house suggests an attribution to the Fleurier region of Val-de-Travers, Switzerland.
The dial and case display wear consistent with their age, and the auction description notes specific condition issues including hairlines on the dial and restored enamel sections on the exterior 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
- Date
- Circa 1860-1880
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Maker
- Unsigned, probably Fleurier (Val-de-Travers)
- Material
- Silver and enamel
- Escapement
- Duplex-Jacot
- Case Diameter
- 60.5 mm
- Serial Number
- 2 908
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Unsigned (probably Fleurier)
Design
- Visible features
- • Case features a central portrait of a lady in red flinqué enamel. • Case back and bezel include polychrome champlevé enamel floral and geometric friezes. • The bow and winding area are finished with light blue enamel accents. • The portrait depicts a figure in Renaissance-style dress.
- Condition and Market Attribution
- The watch is cataloged as an unsigned object intended for the Chinese market. It carries the case number 2 908. In terms of condition, the auction description provides a grade of 'AA', indicating a very good overall state, though specific components carry individual assessments. The dial is reported to have hairlines, and the enamel decoration features areas of restoration. While the auction documentation suggests an origin in Fleurier, Val-de-Travers, this is presented as a probability. The watch is classified as a key-winding model, consistent with mid-to-late 19th-century manufacturing practices for similar horological items destined for export.
- Exterior Construction and Decoration
- The pocket watch is housed in an open-face, round silver case characterized by complex decorative techniques. The bezel and the reverse side of the case are adorned with light blue and polychrome champlevé enameling, incorporating patterns of foliage and friezes. The primary visual element is a central, red flinqué enamel scene. This technique, defined by translucent enamel applied over guilloché engine-turning, captures a portrait of a lady wearing dress described as Renaissance-style. The metallic components are complemented by the use of soft enamel, which has undergone restoration as noted by the auction house. The watch includes a matching bow, which is similarly finished with enamel details consistent with the overall decorative scheme of the case.
- Movement and Mechanical Specifications
- The watch is powered by a 22''' caliber movement. It is equipped with a duplex-Jacot escapement, a mechanism identified for its specific role in this watch's timekeeping function. A notable complication included in the construction is the dead-beat centre-seconds, a feature that allows the seconds hand to advance in distinct intervals rather than a continuous sweep. The movement remains unsigned, although it is attributed to the Fleurier region of Switzerland based on technical and stylistic assessments provided by the auction house.
Identification
- Serial number
- 2 908
- 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 auction description indicates the watch is unsigned, attributing it to Fleurier as a probability rather than a certainty.
- Research required: The presence of hairlines on the dial and restored enamel on the case are documented.