Pocket watch · Open-face watch

Charles Oudin 18ct Gold Open-Faced Top Wind Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This antique French open-faced top-wind pocket watch is catalogued under maker Charles Oudin. Measuring 34 mm in diameter and weighing 33.6 g gross, it is cased in 18ct gold bearing French assay marks and stamped 18k. The white enamel dial displays black Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and dauphine hands. According to the auction description, the gold cuvette is marked 'Charles Oudin Palace Royal 52 Paris' and numbered 6537, with the case back featuring an enamelled monogram. The movement was reported as winding and ticking, though not tested for hand movement.

Front view of the open-faced pocket watch showing the white enamel dial and hands — Sworders. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: timed.sworder.co.uk
Category: Pocket watch · Open-face watch
Form: Open-faced pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Charles Oudin
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 209
Source-reported date: Not established
Source-reported place: France
Source-reported serial: 6537

Maker profile: Charles Oudin — history, key models and current watchmaking.

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

Identity and Provenance

The timepiece is attributed to the maker Charles Oudin. The gold cuvette is marked with the inscription 'Charles Oudin Palace Royal 52 Paris' and bears the number 6537, which corresponds to the number stamped on the case.

The watch is identified as an antique French 18ct gold open-faced top-wind pocket watch. No other provenance information is recorded in the source.

Evidence for this section

“Charles Oudin, an antique French 18ct gold open-faced top wind pocket watch”
“numbered 6537”
“gold cuvette marked ‘Charles Oudin Palace Royal 52 Paris’”

Construction and Exterior

The watch features an 18ct gold case measuring 34 mm in diameter with a gross weight of 33.6 g. It bears French assay marks and is stamped '18k'. The case back contains an enamelled monogram.

The exterior features a top-mounted fluted winding crown, a circular suspension bow, and a push-piece or pin located near the edge of the case.

Evidence for this section

“case diameter 34mm”
“gross weight 33.6g”
“enamelled monogram to case back”
“stamped 18k”
“French assay mark”
“white enamel dial with black Roman numerals, outer minute track, dauphine hands”

Condition and Mechanical Observations

The watch is reported as winding and ticking, though the movement was not tested for the correct movement of the hands. The winding crown is noted as a replacement.

Reported condition issues include scratches to the glass, marks and dents to the case, losses of enamel to the monogram, and a non-functioning button. The auction house defines the overall condition report as 'Fair'.

Evidence for this section

“Condition Report: Fair.”
“Winding and ticking.”
“Not tested for the correct movement of hands.”
“Replacement winding crown.”
“Scratches to glass, marks and dents to case, losses of enamel to monogram decoration.”
“The button does not function.”

Open research questions

What is the function of the non-functioning push-piece/pin located on the case?
Is there a historical record linking the monogram to a specific individual?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Charles Oudin 18ct Gold Open-Faced Top Wind Pocket Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Case material	18ct gold	“French 18ct gold open-faced top wind pocket watch”
Case diameter	34mm	“case diameter 34mm”
Gross weight	33.6g	“gross weight 33.6g”
Case number	6537	“numbered 6537”
Cuvette inscription	Charles Oudin Palace Royal 52 Paris	“gold cuvette marked ‘Charles Oudin Palace Royal 52 Paris’”

Visible details

White enamel dial featuring black Roman numerals and an outer minute track with five-minute Arabic markers.
Top-mounted fluted winding crown accompanied by a circular suspension bow.
Gold-toned case with visible push-piece or pin near the case edge.

Research qualifications

Condition report notes a replacement winding crown, a non-functioning button, scratches to the glass, marks and dents to the case, and enamel losses to the monogram.
Reported as winding and ticking, but movement was not tested for the correct movement of hands.

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