Swiss 19th century niello silver pocket watch with lion heraldic design
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
19th century
This antique pocket watch features a distinctive 19th-century Swiss niello silver case manufactured by Huguenin Frères. The exterior of the case is decorated with a finely engraved heraldic design featuring lions and flowing scrolls, rendered in the dark, contrasting niello technique typical of the era.
The watch has been fitted with a later movement and features a porcelain dial that includes an image of Nicholas II. Internally, the case back bears the stamp 84, while the interior front cover is inscribed with the name Fernando Moch. The watch case measures 52mm in diameter and has a gross weight of approximately 84.38 grams. While the item presents as an impressive example of late 19th-century horological artistry and metalwork, it is currently in a non-running state and requires technical servicing to be operational.
This combination of a decorative antique Huguenin Frères case with an updated movement highlights the common practice of repurposing quality watch components over time.
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.
Physical characteristics
- Weight
- 84.38 grams
- Diameter
- 52mm
- Material
- niello silver
Technical characteristics
- Dial
- porcelain
- Movement
- later movement
Design
- Obverse motif
- lion and scrolls
- Interior markings
- 84, Fernando Moch
Identification
- Source note
- Described from a single auction-house listing published on Invaluable (reproduced with Invaluable's permission). Details apply to that one example; other examples of the type may differ, and the listing is supplementary evidence, not authentication.
- Maker named in listing
- Huguenin Freres
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.