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Henry Capt Yellow Gold Chronoautomatic Pocket Watch — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Henry Capt Yellow Gold Chronoautomatic Pocket Watch

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
19th century
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 3913
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 3913)
Catalogue title (original)
Henry Capt Yellow Gold Chronoautomatic 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 3913), this is a pocket watch, dated 19th century. The Atlas places it in the Precision & Scientific Horology period (1750 – 1850) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. 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

The Henry Capt Yellow Gold Chronoautomatic Pocket Watch from the 19th Century is a masterpiece of horological craftsmanship, blending timeless elegance with remarkable functionality. Crafted by the esteemed watchmaker Henry Capt, this exquisite timepiece is encased in a solid 18k yellow gold full hunter case, weighing 87.2 grams and measuring 48mm in diameter, ensuring it captures attention with its luxurious presence. Beyond its stunning appearance, this pocket watch is powered by a reliable Chronoautomatic movement, guaranteeing precise timekeeping. The watch is further authenticated by its stamped hallmarks, including the prestigious names of Henry Capt, L. Gallopin & Cie, and Suc R.S. Geneve, which attest to its superior quality and provenance. The Chronomatic function adds an extra layer of sophistication, making this pocket watch not only a beautiful accessory but also a practical one. Originating from Switzerland and dating back to the 19th century, the Henry Capt 18k Yellow Gold Full Hunter Case Pocket Watch is a true collector’s item, offering a perfect blend of beauty and functionality for those who appreciate the art of watchmaking. Introducing the exquisite Henry Capt 18k Yellow Gold Full Hunter Case Pocket Watch. This stunning timepiece boasts a solid 18k yellow gold case that exudes elegance and class. Weighing in at 87.2 grammes and with a case size of 48mm, this watch commands attention and admiration. But it’s not just about the looks – the Henry Capt pocket watch is also fully functional and works like a charm. Powered by a Chronoautomatic movement, this watch keeps time accurately and reliably. The watch bears stamped hallmarks that authenticate its quality and provenance: Henry Capt, L. Gallopin & Cie, Suc R.S. Geneve. And let’s not forget the Chronomatic function, adding another layer of sophistication to this already impressive pocket watch. If you’re searching for a timepiece that’s both beautiful and functional, the Henry Capt 18k Yellow Gold Full Hunter Case Pocket Watch is definitely worth considering. Creator: Henry Capt Case Material: 18k Gold Movement: Automatic Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: 19th Century Date of Manufacture: 19th Century

Historical context

Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)

Harrison solves longitude; Mudge invents the lever; Breguet's Paris workshop defines the modern watch.

From 1750 to 1850 the watch became a precision instrument. Mudge's lever escapement, the cylinder escapement, Lépine's thin bar calibre, Breguet's innovations (overcoil, tourbillon, perpétuelle) and the pocket chronometer of Arnold and Earnshaw all date from this period, while verge watches remained common in cheaper production.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Early Modern Horology

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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