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Charles Humbert Fils 18-carat gold pocket watch with box and receipt — view 1 of 5
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Charles Humbert Fils 18-carat gold pocket watch with box and receipt

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Charles Humbert Fils (maker)
Date
1901
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Pocket watch
Stock no.
Product 2733
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2733)
Catalogue title (original)
Charles Humbert Fils 18 Karat Pocket Watch (English)

Editor's note

Title tidied; the original box, papers and receipt are described in the listing.

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 2733), this is a pocket watch by Charles Humbert Fils, dated 1901. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. The record is illustrated with 5 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 exquisite Charles Humbert Fils 18 Karat Pocket Watch, a remarkable piece of horological history that embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of the early 20th century. This stunning pocket watch, crafted in Paris in 1901, is a testament to the artistry and precision of its era, offering a glimpse into a bygone age of sophistication and style. Encased in luxurious 18kt yellow gold, this timepiece is not only a functional accessory but also a collector’s dream, complete with its original box and papers, including the original receipt that meticulously records its serial number and date of purchase. Despite the gentle wear that comes with over a century of history, this pocket watch remains in great condition, showcasing a keyless lever entry mechanism that highlights its classic design and functionality. Created by the renowned Humbert-Ramuz & Co, this round-shaped pocket watch, with a height of 50 mm (1.97 in), hails from France’s rich period of 1900-1909, making it an exceptional find for any connoisseur of fine timepieces. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a lover of timeless elegance, the Charles Humbert Fils 18 Karat Pocket Watch is ready to impress and elevate your collection to new heights. Introducing a rare find – an 18kt yellow gold Charles Humbert Fils pocketwatch, complete with its original box and papers. This timeless piece is dated back to 1901 and was meticulously crafted in Paris. Along with the watch, you’ll also receive the original receipt detailing the serial number and date of purchase. Despite some visible wear due to age, this pocket watch is still in great condition and ready to impress. With its keyless lever entry mechanism, it’s a classic and functional accessory to have in your collection. Creator: Humbert-Ramuz & Co Case Material: 18k Gold Case Shape: Round Case Dimensions: Height: 50 mm (1.97 in) Place of Origin: France Period: 1900-1909 Date of Manufacture: 1901 Condition: Good. In original box.

Historical context

Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking (1900 – 1945)

The wristwatch displaces the pocket watch; waterproof cases, self-winding and grand complications.

The pocket watch reached technical maturity and then began to give way to the wristwatch after the First World War. Complicated watches for collectors such as Henry Graves Jr. and James Ward Packard, railroad watches, and slim Art Deco dress watches are characteristic.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Industrial Revolution

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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