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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Key wound pocket watch

Borel & Courvoisier French .800 Silver Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This key-wound pocket watch is catalogued by the auctioneer as a French .800 silver piece attributed to Borel & Courvoisier. The watch is shown in an open hunter-style case with a hinged front lid. The white dial displays elongated black Roman numeral hour markers, an outer track, and a subsidiary seconds subdial at the six o'clock position. Beneath the twelve o'clock position, the dial is signed in script 'Borel & Courvoisier Neuchâtel'. A rounded pendant bow is attached at three o'clock. The auction condition report explicitly notes that the glass crystal cover is missing.

Front view of open pocket watch showing white dial, hands, subsidiary seconds subdial, and hinged front lid
Front view of open pocket watch showing white dial, hands, subsidiary seconds subdial, and hinged front lid — Kavanagh Auctions. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Key wound pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Borel & Courvoisier
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
157B
Source-reported date
Not established
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

Object Identity and Origin Discrepancy

The auction house catalogued this lot as a "Borel & Courvoisier French 800 Silver Pocket Watch Key Wound". While the cataloguer's title describes the piece as French, the cursive signature visible on the dial directly below the 12 o'clock position reads "Borel & Courvoisier Neuchâtel", referring to Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

The lot is described by the auctioneer as key-wound, though specific movement details, calibre numbers, and interior markings are not recorded in the source listing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Borel & Courvoisier French 800 Silver Pocket Watch Key Wound”
  • “Dial inscription reads 'Borel & Courvoisier Neuchâtel' in cursive script below 12 o'clock”

Case Configuration and Condition

The auction listing describes the piece as an "800 Silver Pocket Watch". Visual observation records an open hunter case with a hinged front cover, leaving the dial visible without a protective crystal, while the winding pendant and rounded suspension bow are positioned at 3 o'clock.

Under condition, the auction catalog explicitly notes "missing glass cover".

Evidence for this section
  • “800 Silver Pocket Watch”
  • “Open hunter case with hinged front cover revealing dial without a protective crystal”
  • “Winding pendant and rounded suspension bow positioned at the 3 o'clock side”
  • “missing glass cover”

Dial Display and Visible Features

Visual observation of the dial shows a white dial with black Roman numeral hour numerals and outer minute markings.

A subsidiary seconds register is positioned at the 6 o'clock position. Internal movement plates, hallmarks, and mechanical condition are not visible in the supplied photo or documented in the auction description.

Evidence for this section
  • “White dial with black Roman numeral hour numerals and outer minute markings”
  • “Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock”

Open research questions

  • What hallmarks, purity stamps, or case serial numbers are struck inside the front and rear covers or cuvette?
  • What specific calibre and escapement are fitted to the key-wound movement?
  • What accounts for the cataloguer describing the watch as 'French' when the dial bears the Swiss town signature 'Neuchâtel'?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Borel & Courvoisier French .800 Silver Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Auction title descriptionBorel & Courvoisier French 800 Silver Pocket Watch Key Wound“Borel & Courvoisier French 800 Silver Pocket Watch Key Wound”
Case material800 Silver“800 Silver Pocket Watch”
Winding systemKey Wound“Key Wound”
Condition reportMissing glass cover“missing glass cover”

Visible details

  • White dial with black Roman numeral hour numerals and outer minute markings
  • Dial inscription reads 'Borel & Courvoisier Neuchâtel' in cursive script below 12 o'clock
  • Subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Open hunter case with hinged front cover revealing dial without a protective crystal
  • Winding pendant and rounded suspension bow positioned at the 3 o'clock side

Research qualifications

  • Source title references 'French', while dial signature specifies 'Neuchâtel', Switzerland
  • Internal movement and case back exterior are not visible in the provided image
  • Condition report notes missing glass cover

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: Borel & Courvoisier French 800 Silver Pocket Watch Key Wound

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 4002014549

Terms in this record

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