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Rare 18ct Ruby and Diamond Pocket Watch with Elaborate Mountings and Jewels

About the Item

While the origin of this particularly unique piece remains a mystery, the brilliance and fine craftsmanship are without question. This small 18ct jewellery pocket watch houses elaborate, decorative silver mounting and bezels. There are 6 rubies at the front and 6 old European cut diamonds at the back. The outside of this one-of-a-kind piece is adorned with blue enamel and a colourful floral decoration ringed with gold-plated leaf. The interior uses a gold-plated dial of roman numerals to tell time with excellent balance and a total weight of 36 g. Our experts date this piece to the early 1970s. The tradition of carrying around a pocket watch has been popular since at least the 14th century. It has continued well into our current era as a mark of a true gentleman. It wasn’t until after World War I that wristwatches came into fashion. Each watch has a unique design and style that speak to the craft house that produced the timepiece. There are two pocket watch styles in wide use: open-face and hinged. This piece is hinged with a protective shell equally adorned with the interior face. This piece is meant for more formal attire and most likely would not be worn on a daily occasion due to the exquisite jewellery contents. ------------------------------ Condition Report: Pristine condition with a diameter of 4 cm ------------------------------ ------------------------------ Provenance: From a private collection. ------------------------------ ------------------------------ Literature: Cf.:Barry S. Goldberg, The New Collector’s Guide to Pocket Watches: 4th Edition, 2017/ ISBN: 978-1549853180 Cf.:M. Cutmore, The Pocket Watch Handbook, 2002/ ISBN: 978-0715314623 ------------------------------ ------------------------------
  • Metal:
  • Stone:
  • Stone Cut:
  • Weight:
    36 g
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 1.58 in (40 mm)Width: 1.58 in (40 mm)Diameter: 1.58 in (40 mm)
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1970
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Condition Report: Pristine condition with a diameter of 4cm / 40mm.
  • Seller Location:
    London, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU2800217593512
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