France - Pocket Watches

A Rare 18CT Gold Enamel Special Grade Diamond-Set Antique Hunter Pocket Watch Signed Waltham Mass Circa. 1898 - only 8 of this model type are known to exi...

Rare Antique Pocket Key Watch French 1800s with Painted Enamel Dial in Working Order An exceptional example of French craftwork estimated from the mid-1800s with delicate enamel painting on the dial and bespoke Roman numerals. Pocket watches have long been a token of style and refinement, even in today’s modern era. During the mid-1800s, this would have been a status symbol as manufacturing had increased so that it was more widely available. Everyone from businessmen to international travelers would have relied on a precise pocket watch to measure the train schedules, daily paper, and end of the work day. In this case, the unique painted enamel on the dial and custom Roman numerals would mean a man of means owned this watch. Instead of relying on a more standard manufactured piece, this would have been hand-finished, demonstrating more wealth. What makes this particular timepiece so rare is the polychrome decoration of a city on the water. When you look closely at the dial, you’ll find detailed decorations of a cartouche and flora motifs perfectly offsetting the silver casement. Both of the keys are attached to a metal chain, and the appearance of the monogrammed FB is evident on the cover metal. A French inscription on the interior reads: “Echappement a Cylindre Aiguilles Quatre Rubiz.” The keys refer to the critical winding and lock set for maintaining the watch. You can also see the makers mark numbered 9356 11509. ------------------------------ Condition Report: In worker order and high quality, considering it is an antique pocket watch. There are minor age-related marks on the silver casement and some fading that will be cleaned and polished before shipping. No damage to the enamel or hands. We service all pocket watches...

A very rare decorative beautiful enamel cultured seed pearl, full-faced Hunter pocket watch, with OMEGA stamped on the dial circa. 1894 -1912, probably aimed at the export market. The ingenuity of the artisan enamelers behind this lavishly decorated pocket watch is what stands out the most. The enamel seems to be painted on either side with old masters—a figure of a woman in period dress on one side and the other side with a reproduction of “An Allegory of Venus and Cupid and A Triumph of Venus” by painter Agnolo Bronzino (1503-1572). The painting displays the ambivalence, eroticism, and obscure imagery that are characteristic of the Mannerist period and is exquisitely executed. When the watchmaking industry began to boom in the 19th Century, pocket watches became the must-have tool for everyday people seeking function and style. By 1894, the most discerning customers wanted to have the very best pocket watch available, and the name OMEGA was synonymous with luxury and quality. We know the dial is in the OMEGA style and not the original, but still of some beauty and age because the forerunner of OMEGA, La Generale Watch Co, was founded at La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1848 by Louis Brandt, who assembled key-wound precision pocket watches from parts supplied by local craftsmen. He sold his watches from Italy to Scandinavia by way of England, his chief market. In 1894, his two sons Louis-Paul and César developed a revolutionary in-house manufacturing and total production control system that allowed component parts to be interchangeable. Watches developed with these techniques were marketed under the OMEGA brand of La Generale Watch Co. By 1903 the success of the OMEGA brand led La Generale Watch Co to spin off the OMEGA brand as its own company, and the OMEGA Watch Co was officially founded in 1903. There are also two important periods for enamel pocket watches: the first quarter of the 1600s and the two decades from 1800 to 1820. From 1800 onward, requests started coming in from China. This era saw the emergence of pocket watches and replicas made for export, some with complicated musical movements and mechanical actions whose functions were exaggerated and made visible so that buyers could marvel at their intricacy. This is an absolutely gorgeous decorative piece and is sold on its skilful enamel paintings. Enamelling is the process of decorating metallic plates in order to turn them into works of art, which takes an exorbitant amount of time to do. The pocket watch boasts an impressively large 5 cm diameter. The pale cream off-white enamel has the Swiss OMEGA symbol with Roman numerals and is signed OMEGA 1882. The circular banding design around the face of the watch is symbolic of OMEGA pocket watches of that period. The gold gilt Hunter casing is also inscribed with the OMEGA symbol. The front and back of the pocket watch are both framed with cultured seed pearl stones throughout, adding a unique touch to this lovely pocket watch. ------------------------------ Condition Report: Very Good. The enamel is intact with no signs of any deterioration. Minor scratching inside the case. 5 cm (Diameter). Our certified British Horological Institute member watchmakers inspect each watch before shipment, including final servicing, cleaning, and polishing. ------------------------------ ------------------------------ Provenance: Private collection. From a well-known independent reputable antique...

18ct Gold Hunter Watch " American Watch Company " Waltham Mass USA c.1880 This double hunter watch was made before the name change of the company to "the American Waltham Watch Company" in 1885. It has beautiful hand engraving of flowers and leafwork with engine turning, in pristine condition and a three quarter plate movement. The outer case springs open with a touch of the top button. A double hunter pocket...

Cartier Santos Ronde Chronograph in 18ct. yellow gold with a diamond bezel Reference: 1530 Material: Yellow gold Movement: Quarz Diameter: 30 Dial: White Bracelet: Crocodile leather ...

Invicta. A Swiss Full Hunter 55mm Diamond 14ct Yellow Gold Minute Repeater Chronograph Keyless Lever Pocket Watch. Dial: The Excellent Champagne ...

C.H. Meylan 18K Gold Keyless Lever Minute Repeater Half Hunter Pocket Watch Circa 1890's Dial: The white enamel dial with Arabic numerals, and minutes in red, the sub dial for the s...

Victorian Silver Pocket Watch Dated 1862 Assayed in London Case made by John William Hammon Movement made by H Gallewski of Sunderland The watch face is beautifully engraved in the c...

Enamel Gold 18 k watch in the shape of a Jockey cap very rare Enamel Gold Ladies Jockey cap shaped attractive and very rare watch. Solid gold case is stampe...

Franck Muller Vintage Ladies Watch Reference: 1750 S6 BAG Material: Platinum Movement: Manual winding Diameter: 25x35mm Dial: Silver Bracelet: Le...

Antique Victorian 18ct Hunter Pocket Watch,Hallmarked In Chester,1867 This chain driven movement was made by Henry Westrap of Stow and London The watch face...

Extremely rare and important John Chance pocket watch, Chepstow, about 1775. The watch, of the "onion watch" type, is in exceptional conservation conditions. The dial and hands are o...