Billodes key-wound pocket watch for the Ottoman Army
Record status
Individual type · research required
Maker / issuer
ZenithThis late Victorian key-wound pocket watch was produced under the Billodes name (the brand used by Zenith in the Middle East) for the Ottoman Army, with sources dating it between the 1860s and 1890s. The watch was assembled and/or its enamel was executed by K. Serkisoff & Co. of Constantinople.
The watch features a triple silver case signed 0,800 and numbered 3173003-4031. The dial measures 54 mm in diameter and consists of enamel encircled by a gold leaf rim with Ottoman numerals.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 2
- 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.
Historical context
The Ottoman Army underwent substantial reform following the 1826 abolition of the Janissary Corps by Sultan Mahmud II and continued reorganising along modern western European lines through the Tanzimat period. In 1843, Sultan Abdülmecid renamed the force the Asâkir-i Nizâmiye-i Şâhâne, or the Regular Army (Nizami Ordu). This watch was produced under the Billodes brand, which Zenith utilised in the Middle East, for the Ottoman military and was assembled or enamelled by K. Serkisoff & Co. of Constantinople.
Physical characteristics
- Case
- Triple silver case
- Dial
- 54 mm diameter enamel dial surrounded by a gold leaf rim with Ottoman numerals
- Material
- Gold, Silver (as described on the source photograph page)
Technical characteristics
- Movement
- Key-wound
Design
- Case decoration
- Enamel
Identification
- Inscriptions or signatures
- Signed 0,800 with serial numbers 3173003-4031
- Serial or inventory number
- 3173003-4031
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
- Escapement type not documented; requires movement examination or a horological reference.
- Jewel count and calibre not documented.
- Serial-number dating, case dimensions and weight remain untranscribed.
- No catalogue reference number is asserted; standard horological catalogues have not been transcribed for this specimen.