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French Blue Enamel Diamond Pendant Watch, 1880s — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

French Blue Enamel Diamond Pendant Watch, 1880s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
1880s
Country of origin
France
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
enamel, diamond
Stock no.
Product 2353
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 2353)
Catalogue title (original)
French Blue Enamel Diamond Pendant 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 2353), this is a pocket watch, made in France, dated 1880s. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: enamel, 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

Step back in time with the exquisite French Blue Enamel Diamond Pendant Watch from the 1880s, a true testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the late 19th century. This remarkable piece showcases an open face design embellished with a delicate pearl and old mine cut rough diamonds, creating a captivating blend of sophistication and historical charm. The enamel dial, marked with Roman numerals and the number 24388, adds a touch of timeless beauty, while the back of the watch features a heartfelt inscription: “FAH from JHW Oct. 10th 1883.” Measuring 1.13 inches in width and 3.25 inches in length, and weighing 37.4 grams, this pendant watch is not only a functional timepiece but also a stunning piece of jewelry. Crafted from gold and adorned with diamonds, its round case and excellent condition make it a unique and elegant addition to any discerning collector’s array. This is a beautiful French blue enamel and diamond pendant watch that dates back to the 1880s. It features an open face design with a single pearl and old mine cut rough diamonds. The enamel dial is adorned with Roman numerals and is marked with the number 24388. The back of the watch is inscribed with the initials “FAH from JHW Oct. 10th 1883”. The pendant watch measures 1.13 inches in width and 3.25 inches in length, with a total weight of 37.4 grams. This antique piece is a unique and elegant addition to any jewelry collection. Case Material: Gold Stone: Diamond Stone Cut: Old Mine Cut Case Shape: Round Case Dimensions: Width: 25.4 mm (1 in) Period: Late 19th Century Date of Manufacture: 19th Century Condition: Excellent

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

Early spring-driven watches

Portable spring-driven timepieces appeared in southern Germany, France and Italy in the early sixteenth century; Peter Henlein of Nuremberg is traditionally credited, although the historical record is complex. These early watches were worn as pendants or carried, had iron or brass movements with a verge escapement and a foliot or small balance, and used a stackfreed or fusee to equalise spring force. They indicated hours only and were notoriously inaccurate.

From the later sixteenth century watches were made in Blois, Paris, Geneva, London and Augsburg in oval, octagonal, cruciform, skull and other 'form' cases of rock crystal, gilt brass, silver and enamel. They were jewellery and status objects as much as timekeepers.

What to look for

  • A single hour hand and often a touch-pin hour ring for feeling the time.
  • Stackfreed (a cam and spring) instead of a fusee on German watches.
  • Pierced and engraved cocks over the balance, fine gut fusee lines.
  • Rock-crystal, enamelled or engraved form cases.

Dating clues

  • Drum-shaped German watches: c. 1530–1580.
  • Oval and form watches: c. 1580–1650.
  • Before c. 1675 there is no balance spring; watches can vary by many minutes a day.

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 escapementFuseeFoliotThe Melanchthon watch

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