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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Astronomical pocket watch

Anonymous Double-Sided Astronomic Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This double-sided astronomical pocket watch, catalogued as Lot 278 by Auktionen Dr. Crott, dates to circa 1830 with origin reported as France. It features a 59 mm silver case with remnants of gilding and a white enamel front dial. The front displays central hours and minutes alongside peripheral subsidiary chapter rings for small seconds, zodiac signs, months with length, calendar date, seasons, moon age, and days of the week with planetary symbols. The auction house reports that the reverse features an enamel dial with a power reserve indicator and a visible brass balance under an ornate bridge, powered by a full-plate verge escapement movement with chain and fusee.

Front view of the astronomical pocket watch showing the silver case, bow, and multi-dial enamel display
Front view of the astronomical pocket watch showing the silver case, bow, and multi-dial enamel display — Auktionen Dr. Crott. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Astronomical pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
278
Source-reported date
circa 1830
Country
France

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 External Construction

The watch is housed in a 59 mm silver case, noted by the auction house to feature remnants of gilding. The case features a prominent circular bow and a spherical pendant attached at the 12 o'clock position. The total weight of the item is 139 g.

The rim of the case bears an inscription in red: 'le temps quand il est passe il ne revient plus mettons à profit'. The auction house reports the case condition as 'very good'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dimensions 59 mm”
  • “Case: Silver, remains of gilding.”
  • “Weight 139 g”
  • “Prominent circular bow and spherical pendant attached to the silver case at the 12 o'clock position.”
  • “Red inscription on the rim: "le temps quand il est passe il ne revient plus mettons à profit"”
  • “Case: very good.”

Dial Configuration

The front of the watch features a white enamel dial with a central chapter ring for hours and minutes, surrounded by subsidiary indicators for small seconds, zodiac signs, months with their lengths, calendar date, seasons, moon age, and days of the week with corresponding planetary symbols. Gilt openwork hands are present on the central time display and select subsidiary dials.

The reverse side contains an enamel dial featuring a power reserve indicator and a visible balance located beneath an ornate balance bridge. The dial condition is described as 'good' with 'hairlines'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Front – enamel, chapter rings indicating hours/minutes, small seconds, signs of the zodiac, months and their lengths, date, season, moon age, day of the week and corresponding planet.”
  • “Back – enamel, power reserve indicator, visible balance beneath an artfully decorated balance bridge.”
  • “Gilt openwork hands visible on the central time display and select subsidiary dials.”
  • “Dial: good, hairlines.”

Mechanism and Origin

The timepiece is a full-plate movement featuring a chain and fusee mechanism and a verge escapement. It is equipped with a three-arm brass balance. The movement condition is reported as 'very good', with a recommendation for cleaning.

The watch is attributed to France and dated to circa 1830. The maker is not specified.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movm.: Full plate movement, chain/fusee, verge escapement, three-arm brass balance.”
  • “Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.”
  • “Origin Frankreich”
  • “circa 1830”

Open research questions

  • Are there any maker's marks or hallmarks visible on the movement or inner case back to clarify the origin?
  • To what extent do the mentioned 'hairlines' affect the integrity of the enamel dials?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Anonymous Double-Sided Astronomic Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case diameter59 mm“Dimensions 59 mm”
Weight139 g“Weight 139 g”
Case materialSilver with remains of gilding“Silver, remains of gilding.”
EscapementVerge escapement“verge escapement”
Movement typeFull plate movement, chain/fusee“Full plate movement, chain/fusee”
OriginFrance“Origin Frankreich”

Visible details

  • White enamel front dial featuring a central chapter ring with Arabic numerals surrounded by seven subsidiary indicators.
  • Prominent circular bow and spherical pendant attached to the silver case at the 12 o'clock position.
  • Lower subsidiary dial between 7 and 8 o'clock decorated with pictorial zodiac figures.
  • Gilt openwork hands visible on the central time display and select subsidiary dials.

Research qualifications

  • The reverse dial and movement interior described in the catalogue text are not visible in the supplied photograph.
  • Maker is unspecified and catalogued as anonymous.

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

Consulted source

At Auction: Anonymous - Astronomic Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 273b5f8e78

Terms in this record

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

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