Gold and Enamel Beetle Form Watch, 1880

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

Step back in time with the exquisite “Gold and Enamel Beetle Form Watch - 1880,” a stunning testament to the craftsmanship of late 19th Century Swiss watchmaking. This brooch watch is not merely a timepiece but a work of art, meticulously designed in the shape of a beetle. The heart-shaped keywind mechanism features a gilt bar movement, polished steel cylinder, and a steel escape wheel, all complementing the small white enamel dial adorned with Roman and Arabic numerals. The three-arm gilt balance, blue steel spiral hairspring, and polished steel regulator enhance its precision and elegance. Encased in fine gold and enamel, the beetle’s wings, set with diamonds and pearls, unveil the watch’s dial with a simple press of a button located in the tail. The beetle’s head is intricately chased and engraved with champlevé black enamel, while its eyes gleam with green stones. The underside is equally captivating, with finely chased and engraved legs applied to the hinged cover, adding to its lifelike appearance. In excellent overall condition, this brooch watch also features an oval gold loop for a chain, making it a versatile addition to any collection. A similar piece is showcased in color plate 30 of “The Technique and History of the Swiss Watch,” underscoring its historical and aesthetic significance. Crafted anonymously in Switzerland around 1880, this watch measures 28 x 51 x 17 mm and is a high-quality, attractive piece that embodies the elegance and ingenuity of its era. This is a beautiful and intricately designed late 19th Century Swiss brooch watch in the shape of a beetle. The watch has a heart-shaped keywind with a gilt bar movement, a polished steel cylinder, a steel escape wheel, and a small white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals. The watch’s three-arm gilt balance has a blue steel spiral hairspring and a plain cock with a polished steel regulator. The beetle-shaped case is made of fine gold and enamel and features diamond and pearl-set translucent red enamel wings. The wings can be opened by pressing a button in the tail to reveal the watch’s dial. The head of the beetle is chased and engraved with champleve black enamel, and the eyes are represented by green stones. The underside of the beetle is realistically portrayed with finely chased and engraved legs that are applied to the hinged cover. This brooch watch is in excellent overall condition and comes with an oval gold loop for a chain. A similar watch can be found in colour plate 30 of The Technique and History of the Swiss Watch. Overall, this is a high-quality and attractive piece that would make a wonderful addition to any collection. Anonymous Swiss Circa 1880 Dimensions 28 x 51 x 17 mm Materials Enamel Gold