Vauchez Double Sided Gold Cylinder Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 18th century
This late 18th-century French pocket watch, attributed to the maker Vauchez, features a double-sided gold consular case glazed on both sides. The primary white enamel dial displays hours with Roman numerals and minutes with Arabic numerals, signed "VAUCHEZ A PARIS".
The reverse side contains a secondary calendar dial showing the days of the month, framed by split pearls set against a dark blue transparent guilloché enamel background, further decorated with gilded foliage motifs. The watch is powered by a full-plate gilt movement with key winding, incorporating a resting barrel with stopwork, a polished steel cylinder escapement, a large brass escape wheel, and a three-armed gilt brass balance with a blue steel spiral balance spring.
The movement includes a simple crescent-shaped cock and a polished steel coqueret. The gold case bezels are adorned with two-tone gold rope-twist decoration.
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
- late 18th century
- Dial
- White enamel with Roman and Arabic numerals
- Type
- Open-face watch
- Place recorded
- France
- Case Decoration
- Two-tone gold rope-twist
- Maker / attribution
- Vauchez
- Country of manufacture
- France
Design
- Case and Dials
- The watch is housed in a gold consular case that is glazed on both sides, allowing for a dual-dial configuration. The bezels are finished with rope-twist ornament executed in two-tone gold. The main dial is constructed of white enamel and provides time-keeping via Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals, accompanied by gold hands. The reverse side serves as a calendar display, featuring a smaller white enamel dial calibrated for the days of the month in Arabic numerals. This calendar dial is encircled by a row of split pearls, while the surrounding field is decorated with dark blue transparent enamel applied over a guilloché engine-turned ground, accented with gilded leaf patterns.
- Visible features
- • Case bezels feature two-tone gold rope-twist ornament • Reverse dial features a border of split pearls • Secondary calendar dial displays digits 1 through 31 • Movement features a steel coqueret over the cylinder balance pivot
- Condition and Integrity
- According to the provided information, the current status of the movement's service history remains unverified. No data regarding the weight or precise dimensions of the object is provided. The auction description reports that it is necessary for potential owners to conduct their own assessment of the watch, specifically checking for the security of the split pearls, examining the enamel for microscopic fissures, and testing the mechanical performance of the calendar and mainspring.
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is a full-plate gilt construction intended for key winding. The technical specifications include a resting barrel equipped with a stopwork mechanism. The escapement is a cylinder type, featuring a polished steel cylinder and a large brass escape wheel. Regulation of the timepiece is handled by a three-armed gilt brass balance paired with a blued steel spiral balance spring. Further mechanical components include a simple crescent-shaped cock and a polished steel coqueret, which serves to protect the balance staff pivot.
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 reports no documented service history or functional testing of the calendar or mainspring mechanism
- Research required: The source advises prospective buyers to independently assess the integrity of the pearls and potential microscopic cracks in the enamel