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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Breguet Paris Closed Face Pocket Watch, 1870s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Breguet (maker)
Date
1870s
Country of origin
France
Object type
Pocket watch
Stock no.
Product 5138
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 5138)
Catalogue title (original)
Breguet Paris Closed Face Pocket Watch (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 5138), this is a pocket watch by Breguet, made in France, dated 1870s. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. 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

Step back in time with the Breguet Paris Closed Face Pocket Watch, a captivating relic from the 1870s that embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of a bygone era. This exquisite timepiece, crafted by the legendary watchmaker Breguet, originates from France and carries with it a rich history that speaks to the artistry and precision of late 19th-century horology. Though the watch is not currently in working condition, its allure is undiminished, offering a glimpse into the past with its classic design and intricate details. The pocket watch’s case, measuring 58.42 mm in height, 44.45 mm in width, and 6.35 mm in depth, is in fair condition, showcasing the enduring quality that has allowed it to withstand the test of time. As a non-functional yet undeniably charming piece, this Breguet Paris Pocket Watch is a testament to the brand’s legacy and remains a highly sought-after collectible for enthusiasts and connoisseurs of vintage timepieces alike. This Breguet Paris Closed Face Pocket Watch is a vintage timepiece with a case that is in fair condition. Unfortunately, the watch itself is not currently working. Created by renowned watchmaker Breguet, this pocket watch hails from France and was manufactured in the 1870s. With dimensions of 58.42 mm in height, 44.45 mm in width, and 6.35 mm in depth, this watch is a classic piece of history from the late 19th century. Despite its non-functional state, this Breguet Paris Pocket Watch still possesses charm and character, making it a desirable collectible for watch enthusiasts. Creator: Breguet Case Dimensions: Height: 58.42 mm (2.3 in)Width: 44.45 mm (1.75 in)Depth: 6.35 mm (0.25 in) Place of Origin: France Period: 1890-1899 Date of Manufacture: 1870s Condition: Fair

Historical context

Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)

American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.

Machine production with interchangeable parts, pioneered by Waltham (1850s) and adopted by Elgin, Longines, Omega and others, made reliable lever watches widely affordable. Keyless winding became standard, railroad watch standards were introduced (1890s), and Swiss and American industries competed globally.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific 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

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