Verger Frères 'Montre à Volets' Brooch Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1930s
This Art Deco brooch watch, described as a 'montre à volets', is source-reported as made in Paris during the 1930s by Verger Frères, featuring a movement by Cyma Watch Co.
Crafted in 18ct white and yellow gold with black enamel, it includes horizontal yellow gold shutters that conceal a matt silvered dial displaying painted Arabic numerals and blued steel hands. According to the source, the shutters open via a crown positioned at 9 o'clock. Both crowns are set with malachite cabochons, and the square bezel connects to a reeded sprung clip.
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
- Enamel, form & pendant watch
- Maker
- Verger Frères
- Dimensions
- 30mm x 42mm
- Maker's Mark
- Lozenge with initials 'VF'
- Crown details
- Set with malachite
- Movement Maker
- Cyma Watch Co.
- Place recorded
- France
- Maker / attribution
- Verger Frères
- Jewels and Escapement
- 15 jewels, lever escapement
Design
- Visible features
- • Square white metal bezel frame enclosing horizontal yellow-toned louvres/shutters revealing the dial beneath. • Geometric black enamel body flanked by two crowns tipped with green cabochons. • Ribbed yellow metal sprung clip attachment at the base.
- Dial and Movement Details
- Beneath the horizontal yellow gold shutters sits a matt silvered dial configured with painted Arabic numerals and blued steel hands. As observed in the photograph, the horizontal louvres partially part across the square bezel frame to reveal the dial beneath. The movement is not visible in the front photograph, but is catalogued as manufactured by Cyma Watch Co. It is described as a 15-jeweled movement with a lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, and flat balance spring. Running condition and mechanical timing performance are not detailed in the source documentation.
- Identity and Case Construction
- This Art Deco 'montre à volets' brooch watch is attributed by the cataloguer to Verger Frères and dated approximately to 1930s Paris. The piece measures 30mm x 42mm and combines 18ct white and yellow gold with black enamel decoration. Visible inspection confirms a central geometric black enamel body flanked by two crowns tipped with green cabochons, leading down to a ribbed yellow metal sprung clip attachment at the base. The construction incorporates a white gold square bezel framing horizontal yellow gold louvres designed to conceal the time display. According to the cataloguer, these shutters operate mechanically, 'opening by the means of a crown at 9 o'clock'. Both lateral crowns are reported to be set with malachite, and the case back is described as 'held by four screws'.
- Reported Maker's Mark and Cataloguing Scope
- The auction footnote states that Verger Frères' Art Deco pieces are stamped with a lozenge bearing the initials 'VF', specifically noting that 'on this particular example the mark can be found on the inside of the case back.' Because documentation is limited to a single front-facing auction photograph and brief lot description, physical confirmation of the internal stamps, movement caliber designation, and case back screw arrangement relies entirely on the cataloguer's text. The production date is similarly recorded only as the broad window 'Paris, 1930's'.
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 internal Cyma movement and case back lozenge mark are not visible in the front-facing photograph.
- Research required: Slight surface markings or reflections appear on the white metal bezel.