GOLD AND ENAMEL BEETLE FORM WATCH - 1880
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1880
Anonymous Swiss; Circa 1880; Dimensions 28 x 51 x 17 mm; Materials Enamel; Gold Documented from the WatchMuseum.org collection record and its own photograph of the object; only details stated by that listing are recorded here. Remaining specifications are marked research required rather than estimated.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 2
- 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
This is a beautiful late 19th Century Swiss brooch watch made in the shape of a dazzling beetle. It has a keyless gilt bar movement with a suspended going barrel, featuring a plain cock with polished steel regulator. The watch also has a plain three arm gilt balance with a blue steel spiral hairspring, polished steel cylinder, and a steel escape wheel. The small white enamel dial displays Roman numerals, with the twelve marked in red, and has blue steel hands. The case of this exquisite brooch watch is made of fine gold and enamel, with translucent green enamel wings that open by depressing a button in the tail to reveal the dial. The head of the beetle is diamond set, and its eyes are made of diamonds. It has a small gilt winding crown, and the underside of the beetle has finely chased and engraved legs applied to the hinged cover. Inside the cover, there is an oval glazed frame for a miniature portrait, and the gold and enamel loop is diamond set for a chain. This is a high-quality, attractive piece that is in excellent overall condition. A similar watch can be found on colour plate 30 in The Technique and History of the Swiss Watch. This item measures 27 x 60 x 18 mm. Anonymous Swiss Circa 1880 Dimensions 27 x 60 x 18 mm (Description from The Watch Museum (watchmuseum.org); details apply to the illustrated example, not every object of this type.)
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.