
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
18ct Ruby and Diamond Pocket Watch with Jewels, 1970
- Maker / attribution
- Unrecorded in source
- Date
- 1970
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Unrecorded in source
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- diamond
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 3419
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3419)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 18ct Ruby and Diamond Pocket Watch with Jewels (English)
View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction
Record summary
Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 3419), this is a pocket watch, dated 1970. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: diamond. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop
Steeped in mystery and adorned with unparalleled craftsmanship, the 18ct Ruby and Diamond Pocket Watch with Jewels from 1970 is a timeless masterpiece that exudes elegance and sophistication. Encased in an elaborate silver mounting with decorative bezels, this exquisite timepiece features a stunning array of six rubies on its front and six old European cut diamonds on its back, all accentuated by blue enamel and colorful floral decorations surrounded by gold-plated leaves. The interior gold-plated dial, marked with Roman numerals, ensures precision and balance, making it not just a piece of jewelry but a functional work of art. Weighing a total of 36 grams and measuring 4 cm in diameter, this pocket watch is a testament to the fine artistry of its era, expertly dated to the early 1970s. Historically, pocket watches have symbolized gentility and craftsmanship since the 14th century, and this particular piece, with its hinged protective shell and intricate design, is no exception. Suitable for formal occasions rather than daily wear, it remains in pristine condition, a true collector’s item that reflects the skill and dedication of its European origins. Crafted from 18k gold and white gold, and featuring round-cut diamonds and rubies, this retro-style pocket watch is a rare find from the period of 1970-1979, offering a glimpse into a bygone era of elegance and meticulous craftsmanship. The origins of this unique, 18ct jewellery pocket watch remain a mystery, but its brilliance and fine craftsmanship are unquestionable. The watch is encased in elaborate, decorative silver mounting and bezels. The front of the watch features six rubies, while the back showcases six old European cut diamonds. The outside of the watch is adorned with blue enamel and colorful floral decoration surrounded by gold plated leaves. The inside of the watch features a gold-plated dial with Roman numerals, providing excellent balance and precision when telling time. With a total weight of 36g, this one-of-a-kind piece is a true work of art and has been expertly dated to the early 1970s. The tradition of carrying a pocket watch dates back to the 14th century and has remained popular as a symbol of gentility even in the modern era. Prior to World War I, pocket watches were the norm, and each watch was uniquely designed and crafted to reflect the skill and artistry of its maker. This particular piece is hinged with a protective shell equally adorned with the interior face. Its exquisite, jewellery contents make it suitable for formal occasions rather than daily wear. The pocket watch measures 4cm in diameter and remains in pristine condition, a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the piece. Metal: 18k Gold,White Gold Stone: Diamond,Ruby Stone Cut: Round Cut Weight: 36 g Dimensions: Height: 40 mm (1.58 in)Width: 40 mm (1.58 in)Diameter: 40 mm (1.58 in) Style: Retro Place of Origin: Europe Period: 1970-1979 Date of Manufacture: 1970 Condition: Excellent
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz pocket watches and inexpensive novelty watches appeared, while traditional mechanical pocket watches survived mainly as collectibles and gifts.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
Atlas type guide
Pocket watches
The pocket watch was the dominant personal timekeeper from the late seventeenth century until the First World War. Its development tracks the history of the escapement: verge watches with fusees until the late eighteenth century; Thomas Mudge's lever escapement (c. 1755) and the cylinder escapement popularised by George Graham and later by Swiss makers; and the Swiss and English lever watches of the nineteenth century. Lépine's bar-bridge calibre and keyless winding made watches thinner and easier to use.
Industrialisation transformed the trade: American factories such as Waltham (from 1850) and Elgin produced interchangeable parts by machine, and Swiss makers responded with their own mechanisation after the 1876 Philadelphia Exhibition. By 1900 a reliable watch was affordable to millions; the finest makers continued to produce complications and precision watches.
What to look for
- The escapement: verge (crown wheel), cylinder, duplex, English or Swiss lever.
- Key winding (a square arbor in dial or back) or keyless crown winding.
- Signatures and serial numbers on the movement, dial and inside case back.
- Hallmarks, case maker's marks and gold or silver standards stamped in the case.
- Dial material: enamel, silver, gold, later printed metal.
Dating clues
- Verge watches dominate before c. 1800; cylinder watches c. 1770–1900; lever watches after c. 1820.
- Keyless winding: increasingly common after c. 1860.
- Manufacturer serial number lists exist for Waltham, Elgin, Longines, Omega, Patek Philippe and others.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
Read next:Verge escapementDetached lever escapementFuseeIdentification Centre
Related records
Pocket Watches · 1957–1990
Pocket watch, Sweden, 1957–1990
Gotland Defense Museum
Pocket Watches · c. 1970s
Omega Stop Watch, c. 1970s
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
Pocket Watches · 1970
Watch, Williamson, British, 1970
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Pocket Watches · 1971–2001
"Tissot synthetic idea 2001" the first plastic watch, introduced in 1971
Science Museum Group, London
Pocket Watches · 1973
Woman's watch, gold with diamonds set in platinum. Made for Kutchinsky, London by Chopard et Cie. Switzerland, 1973
Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Pocket Watches · 1974
Pocket watch, Germany, 1974
Montanhistorisches Dokumentationszentrum
Pocket Watches · 1975
Pocket watch, 1975
Army Museum
Pocket Watches · c. 1980
Audemars Piguet pocket watch, c. 1980
Antiquorum auction archive, Geneva
