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Gübelin three-colour gold Art Deco pendant watch by Movado — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Gübelin three-colour gold Art Deco pendant watch by Movado

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Movado (maker); Gübelin (retailer)
Date
c. 1930s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Pocket watch
Dimensions
Diameter 48 mm
Stock no.
Product 3283
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3283)
Catalogue title (original)
Gubelin 14Kt. Multi Coloured Art Deco Ladies Pendant Watch by Movado (English)

Editor's note

Gübelin of Lucerne was the retailer; the listing names Movado as the maker.

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 3283), this is a pocket watch by Movado, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1930s. The Atlas places it in the Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking period (1900 – 1945) of its Pocket Watches collection. Recorded dimensions: Diameter 48 mm. 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 Gubelin 14Kt. Multi Coloured Art Deco Ladies Pendant Watch by Movado, a stunning testament to the elegance and craftsmanship of the 1930s. This exquisite timepiece is a rare creation from the renowned Swiss watchmaker Gubelin, often hailed as the Cartier of Switzerland, and showcases the intricate artistry synonymous with the Art Deco era. Crafted from solid 14kt three-colored gold, this pendant watch is not only a functional timepiece but also a captivating piece of jewelry that exudes sophistication and charm. With a reference number of 42143, the watch features a beautifully preserved silvered dial adorned with gold hands, measuring 48mm in length and 32mm in diameter. Its manually-wound 17-jewel high-grade caliber movement ensures precision and reliability, while the chatelaine attachment adds a touch of vintage allure. Despite its age, this pendant watch remains in exceptional condition, making it a highly sought-after collector’s piece that is sure to elevate any elegant evening ensemble. A true reflection of the incredible craftsmanship of the 1930s, this Gubelin pendant watch is a rare find, offering both timeless beauty and historical significance. Originating from Switzerland, this watch embodies the rich heritage and expertise of its creators, promising to be a cherished addition to any collection of fine timepieces. This exquisite timepiece is an Art Deco pendant watch created by Movado for Gubelin, the famed Swiss watchmaker often referred to as the Cartier of Switzerland. The reference number for this rare piece is 42143, and it was crafted from solid 14kt three-colored gold in the 1930s. The elegant watch measures 48mm in length and 32mm in diameter and features an original silvered dial with gold hands. The movement is a manually-wound 17-jewel high-grade caliber, and the watch comes with a chatelaine attachment. You will be hard-pressed to find another example of this watch, making it a rare and highly sought-after collector’s piece. Despite its age, the timepiece is in exceptional condition and would make a stunning addition to any elegant evening outfit. Not only does it look sophisticated, but it is also a functional timepiece, demonstrating the incredible craftsmanship of the watchmakers from the 1930s. Creator: Gubelin Movement: Manual Wind Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: 1930-1939 Date of Manufacture: 1930”s Condition: Excellent

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

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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