Pocket watch · 8-day power reserve dress pocket watch

Agassiz 8-Day Dress Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 14 ct. gold dress pocket watch was produced by the Agassiz Watch Company in Switzerland, circa 1920, specifically for the retailer W.M. Wise & Son. Designed as an eight-day going keyless watch, it features a power reserve indicator on the dial. The case is a three-body, "demi-bassine" design in 14 ct. gold with polished surfaces and inset hinges, and it contains an inner gold cuvette. The movement, measuring 16 lignes, is rhodium-plated and features "fausses côtes" decoration. It operates with a five-wheel train, 21 jewels, and a straight-line lever escapement. Additional technical specifications include a cut bimetallic balance, eight adjustments, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring fitted with a swan-neck micrometric regulator. The watch is signed on the dial, case, and movement. It measures 44 mm in diameter and is reported by the auction description to be in very good condition.

Front view of the Agassiz 8-day dress pocket watch showing the silver dial, power reserve indicator, and subsidiary seconds. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category: Pocket watch · 8-day power reserve dress pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Agassiz W. Co.
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 33
Source-reported date: circa 1920
Source-reported place: Switzerland

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial Construction

The watch features a 14 ct. gold case constructed in a three-body format. The exterior is described as a "demi-bassine" shape with polished surfaces and inset hinges. An internal gold cuvette provides protection for the movement within the case.

The dial is finished in a matte silver tone and is set with applied gold Arabic numerals. For time-telling, it utilizes gold "scoties" hands. Two subsidiary registers are present: a power reserve indicator with an eight-day up-and-down scale located toward the top of the dial and a subsidiary seconds register positioned at the bottom.

Evidence for this section

“Three body, massive, "demi-bassine", polished with inset hinges. Gold cuvette.”
“Mat silver with applied gold Arabic numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds and 8 day up-and-down scale. Gold "scoties" hands.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a 16-ligne caliber finished with rhodium plating and "fausses côtes" decoration. It is built as a five-wheel train containing 21 jewels. The timekeeping mechanism is regulated by a straight-line lever escapement.

The balance assembly comprises a cut bimetallic balance and a blued steel Breguet balance spring. Fine timing regulation is controlled via a swan-neck micrometric index. The movement is officially rated for eight adjustments.

Evidence for this section

“M.16"', rhodium plated," fausses côtes" decoration, five wheel train, 21 jewels, straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, eight adjustments, blued steel Breguet balance spring with swan neck micrometric index.”

Signatures and Condition

The piece bears the signatures of both the maker and the retailer. The manufacturer, Agassiz W. Co., is clearly indicated, as is the name of the retailer, W.M. Wise & Son, for whom the watch was produced.

The signatures are applied to the dial, the case, and the movement. Regarding the overall state of the object, the auction description reports that the watch is currently in very good condition.

Evidence for this section

“Agassiz W. Co., Swiss, made for W.M. Wise & Son”
“Signed on the dial, case and movement. In very good condition.”

Open research questions

What is the specific movement serial number to confirm production records?
What was the precise functional relationship between Agassiz and the retailer W.M. Wise & Son?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Agassiz 8-Day Dress Pocket Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Agassiz W. Co.	“Agassiz W. Co.”
Retailer	W.M. Wise & Son	“made for W.M. Wise & Son”
Material	14 ct. gold	“14 ct. gold”
Escapement type	straight line lever escapement	“straight line lever escapement”
Balance spring	blued steel Breguet balance spring	“blued steel Breguet balance spring”
Adjustments	eight adjustments	“eight adjustments”
Diameter	44 mm	“Diam. 44mm.”

Visible details

Applied gold Arabic numerals on a matte silver dial
Power reserve up-and-down scale positioned at the 12 o'clock area
Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at the 6 o'clock area
Gold 'scoties' style hands

Research qualifications

The exact alloy composition of the gold beyond 14 ct. is not specified
The specific serial number is not provided in the source

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Agassiz W. Co., Swiss, made for W.M. Wise & Son, circa 1920. Fine and rare 14 ct. gold, flat eight day going keyless dress-watch, with power reserve indicator.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 8db887fe11

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.