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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Audemars Piguet for Shreve & Co. 14k Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch features a manual-wind Audemars Piguet caliber 17 SVK movement retailed by Shreve & Co. Source notes date the movement to circa 1916. The watch is housed in an octagonal 14k gold case accented with black enamel borders, measuring 47 by 41 mm. The champagne dial is signed Shreve & Co below the 12 o'clock numeral and is fitted with stylized Arabic numerals, blued open-tipped hands, an outer track, and a subsidiary seconds register. The auction condition report explicitly notes that the movement originally resided in a round gold case with an enamel dial and was subsequently recased with this replacement dial.

Front view of the 14k gold and black enamel pocket watch showing the champagne dial signed Shreve & Co
Front view of the 14k gold and black enamel pocket watch showing the champagne dial signed Shreve & Co — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Audemars Piguet
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
92
Source-reported date
circa 1916
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 External Construction

The timepiece features an octagonal 14k gold case measuring 47 by 41 mm. The external design incorporates black enamel decorative elements applied to the bezel and the rectangular bow.

The case back displays an engraved initial 'B'. The source describes the case as being in good condition with signs of age-related wear.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 47 x 41mm”
  • “CASE MATERIAL: 14k gold and black enamel decoration”
  • “The case is in good condition with signs of wear, commensurate with its age.”
  • “The case back has the initial 'B' engraved to it.”

Dial and Aesthetic Appointments

The champagne-toned dial is signed 'SHREVE & CO' beneath the 12 o'clock position. The design features stylized Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds register positioned above the 6 o'clock mark.

The watch is equipped with blued steel hands described as Breguet-style with circular open tips. An inner track conforms to the shape of the octagonal case.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: Champagne”
  • “Champagne-toned dial printed with 'SHREVE & CO' beneath the 12 position.”
  • “Blued steel Breguet-style hands with circular open tips.”
  • “Circular subsidiary seconds dial positioned above the 6 o'clock mark with a blued hand.”

Movement and Configuration

The watch is powered by an Audemars Piguet caliber 17 SVK manual-wind movement, dated by the source to circa 1916. The movement is reported to be in working order as of the time of cataloging, though it has not been tested for accuracy and a service is recommended.

The auction documentation states that the movement was originally housed in a round gold case with an enamel dial. It has been re-cased into the current octagonal housing with a replacement dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “CALIBER: 17 SVK”
  • “CIRCA: 1916”
  • “The movement was originally cased in a gold round watch with enamel dial. The movement has been re-cased with a new dial.”
  • “The movement is in working order at the time of cataloging, consistent with the age of the watch. The movement has not been tested for accuracy.”

Open research questions

  • What is the original context of the 'B' engraving on the case back?
  • Are there records detailing the transition of caliber 17 SVK movements between round and octagonal case configurations?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Audemars Piguet for Shreve & Co. 14k Gold and Enamel Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement Caliber17 SVK“CALIBER: 17 SVK”
Case Material14k gold and black enamel decoration“CASE MATERIAL: 14k gold and black enamel decoration”
Case Dimensions47 x 41mm“CASE DIAMETER: 47 x 41mm”
RetailerShreve & Co“RETAILED BY SHREVE & CO”
Circa1916“CIRCA: 1916”
Recased StatusMovement re-cased with a new dial“The movement has been re-cased with a new dial.”
Movement StateRe-cased“The movement has been re-cased with a new dial.”

Visible details

  • Octagonal 14k gold case framed by black enamel along the outer bezel and around the top rectangular bow.
  • Champagne-toned dial printed with 'SHREVE & CO' beneath the 12 position.
  • Prominent stylized Arabic hour numerals with an inner track conforming to the case shape.
  • Blued steel Breguet-style hands with circular open tips.
  • Circular subsidiary seconds dial positioned above the 6 o'clock mark with a blued hand.

Research qualifications

  • Christie's condition report notes that the movement has been re-cased with a new replacement dial, rather than being in its original factory state.
  • The internal movement, caliber 17 SVK, and the case back engraved with initial 'B' are noted in text but not visible in the primary photograph.

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

Consulted source

14K AND ENAMEL POCKET WATCH WITH MOVEMENT BY AUDEMARS PIGUET, RETAILED BY SHREVE & CO, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record a1fd8edc12

Terms in this record

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

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