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French 18 Karat Yellow Gold Enamelled Pocket Watch, c. 1900s — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

French 18 Karat Yellow Gold Enamelled Pocket Watch, c. 1900s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
c. 1900s
Country of origin
France
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold, enamel
Stock no.
Product 2450
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2450)
Catalogue title (original)
French 18 Karat Yellow Gold Enamelled 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 2450), this is a pocket watch, made in France, dated c. 1900s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold, enamel. 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 exquisite French 18 Karat Yellow Gold Enamelled Pocket Watch, a true artifact from the early 20th century that embodies the elegance and craftsmanship of its era. Expertly crafted in France, this antique timepiece is a marvel of design and functionality. Made from 18 karat yellow gold, it features a distinctive horse head hallmark that attests to its authenticity. The round case is beautifully adorned with intricate floral and arabesque engravings, while the back showcases a striking woman’s profile encircled by a row of rose-cut diamonds, adding a touch of timeless elegance. The watch face is a harmonious blend of golden hands and black enamelled Roman numerals bordered with gold, creating a visually stunning contrast. This mechanical marvel operates on manual winding and bears the unique number 202992 inside, ensuring its exclusivity. Despite a minor enamel imperfection on the back, the watch remains in excellent working condition, having been thoroughly checked and revised. Measuring approximately 3.9 cm in height, 2.7 cm in width, and 9.3 mm in thickness, and weighing about 18.9 g, this pocket watch is not just a timekeeper but a piece of history to be cherished. Its versatility allows it to be worn on both sides, making it a unique addition to any collection. Embrace a piece of the Belle Époque era with this remarkable jewel and own a tangible piece of the past. This is an authentic antique pocket watch from the early 20th century, expertly crafted in France. The watch is made of 18 karat yellow gold and features a horse head hallmark for added authenticity. The case is round and adorned with intricate floral and arabesque engravings. The back is white, while the hands are golden and the Roman numerals are enamelled black and bordered with gold. The back of the watch is adorned with a woman’s profile surrounded by a row of rose-cut diamonds, adding a touch of elegance to the design. This mechanical watch features manual winding and is numbered inside as 202992. The watch has been thoroughly checked and revised, and is in excellent working condition. It measures approximately 3.9 cm in height, 2.7 cm in width, and 9.3 mm in thickness, with a total weight of about 18.9 g. Despite having a small lack of enamel on the back, this antique watch is a treasure to be cherished. It can be worn on both sides, making it a versatile and unique piece of history. Take home this precious jewel and own a part of the past. Case Material: Gold,18k Gold,Yellow Gold,Enamel Stone: Diamond Stone Cut: Rose Cut Case Shape: Round Movement: Manual Wind Style: Belle Époque Place of Origin: France Period: Early 20th Century Date of Manufacture: Circa 1900s Condition: Fair

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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