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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Savonette hunting case pocket watch

C. Dégallier and Ch. Grottendieck hunting case pocket watch

Partially verified

This hunting case pocket watch, manufactured in Switzerland circa 1900, features a 750-grade yellow gold case and a gold cuvette. The watch is signed by the Swiss manufacturer C. Dégallier of Geneva and the Belgian retailer Ch. Grottendieck of Brussels. Measuring 53.5 mm in diameter and weighing approximately 126.38 grams, the watch utilizes a gilt bridge movement with crown winding. Technical specifications include an anchor escapement, a compensation balance with a Breguet overcoil hairspring, and a swan-neck regulator. The white enamel dial displays Arabic numerals, a subsidiary seconds register, and gilded hands, accompanied by the retailer's signature. The case exterior includes a relief-decorated monogram.

Front view of the C. Dégallier Savonette pocket watch with hunting cover open, displaying the enamel dial with Arabic numerals (including 24-hour markers) and retailer's signature.
Front view of the C. Dégallier Savonette pocket watch with hunting cover open, displaying the enamel dial with Arabic numerals (including 24-hour markers) and retailer's signature. — Kunstauktionshaus Schloss Ahlden (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Savonette hunting case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
C. Dégallier
Reference
6365
Catalogue / lot identifier
2592
Source-reported date
circa 1900
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
6365

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 is housed in a 750-grade yellow gold Savonette (hunting) case, which features a relief-decorated monogram on the exterior cover. The dial is constructed of white enamel and utilizes Arabic numerals for time indication. It includes a subsidiary seconds register positioned at 6 o'clock and incorporates gilded hands to complement the gold case material. The retailer, Ch. Grottendieck of Brussels, is identified directly on the dial surface.

The internal gold cuvette serves as a secondary protective cover and bears the manufacturer's mark for C. Dégallier of Geneva alongside the retailer's signifier. The overall weight of the timepiece is approximately 126.38 grams, with a case diameter measuring 53.5 mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Savonettegehäuse mit schauseitigem, reliefiertem Ziermonogramm.”
  • “Weißes Emailzifferblatt mit arabischen Indexen, kleiner Sekunde, vergoldeten Zeigern und Händlerzeichen.”
  • “Goldcuvette mit Herstellersignet C. Dégallier Fab(rican), Geneve und Händlerzeichen Ch. Grottendieck Bruxelles.”

Movement and Escapement

The watch is powered by a gilt bridge-style mechanical movement designed for crown winding. The balance assembly incorporates a compensation balance paired with a Breguet overcoil hairspring, designed to assist with chronometric regulation.

Technical precision is facilitated by a swan-neck fine regulation mechanism located on the balance cock. The escapement is of the anchor type, a common arrangement for precision pocket watches of this era. The movement is marked with reference number 6365.

Evidence for this section
  • “Vergoldetes Brückenwerk mit Kronenaufzug, Unruhkolben mit Schwanenhals-Feinregulierung, Kompensationsunruh mit Breguet-Spirale und Ankerhemmung.”
  • “Referenznr. 6365.”

Historical Context and Attribution

The auction description attributes the manufacture to the Swiss watchmaker C. Dégallier, who was active between approximately 1870 and 1926.

The retailer, Charles Grottendieck, operated a prominent watch and jewelry business in Brussels.

Evidence for this section
  • “Der Schweizer Uhrenfabrikant C. Dégallier war von etwa 1870 bis 1926 tätig”
  • “Charles Grottendieck war ein renommierter Uhrmacher in Brüssel und führte ein Juwelen- und Uhrengeschäft, in dem er auch führende Schweizer Uhrenhersteller wie Patek Philippe, LeCoultre & Cie, Longines und Vacheron Constantin vertrat.”

Open research questions

  • Does the 'Genfer Siegel' mark mentioned in the source imply the movement was officially tested in Geneva?
  • What specific professional documentation confirms the manufacturing dates for this serial number?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for C. Dégallier and Ch. Grottendieck hunting case pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementAnchor escapement“Ankerhemmung”
BalanceCompensation balance with Breguet hairspring“Kompensationsunruh mit Breguet-Spirale”
Case Material750 yellow gold“Gelbgold, gest. 750”
Diameter53.5 mm“D. 53,5 mm”
Weight126.38 g“Gew. ca. 126,38 g”

Visible details

  • Relief-decorated monogram on the hunting case exterior
  • White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds at 6 o'clock
  • Gilt bridge movement visible through the case back
  • Swan-neck fine adjustment on the balance cock

Research qualifications

  • Absence of independent verification of the 750 gold purity beyond the auction report
  • Extent of potential wear on the relief monogram not explicitly detailed

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

Consulted source

Savonettetaschenuhr von C. Dégallier und Chr. Grottendieck

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 736efdff02

Terms in this record

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