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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Ball watch

Diamond Set Gold and Enamel Ball Watch

Partially verified

This is a Swiss-made spherical pendant watch, known as a ball watch, dating from the late nineteenth century. The watch is suspended from a simple gold bar pin by a short gold chain, intended for attachment to clothing. The three-piece spherical gold case is decorated with translucent light blue enamel applied over a machine-turned (guilloche) surface. The case features applied golden floral motifs and is inset with small diamonds. The watch face is small white enamel with black Arabic numerals, excluding the number 12, which is printed in red. The hands and minute markers are brass or gilt. The mechanical movement is a small gold-finished three-quarter plate design, featuring a steel cylinder escapement. It is wound and set by rotating the upper hemisphere against the lower one. The watch includes an original blue storage box with velvet and satin lining.

The diamond-set ball watch suspended from its original gold bar pin.
The diamond-set ball watch suspended from its original gold bar pin. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Ball watch
Maker / attribution
NOVO
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
late 19th century
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
32774

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 Aesthetic Features

The watch is housed in a three-piece spherical gold case designed for use as a pendant. The exterior surfaces are finished with translucent light blue enamel applied over an engine-turned, or guilloche, base. Decorative flourishes include golden floral motifs applied to the case surface, which are further accented by small, inset diamonds distributed across the spheres.

The suspension system consists of a short gold chain attached to a simple gold bar pin, which is equipped with a safety clasp for securing the watch to a garment. The overall assembly of the watch, chain, and pin serves as a decorative accessory piece consistent with late-nineteenth-century personal timepieces.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه ساعت ساختاری سه‌تکه از جنس طلا دارد و تمام سطوح آن با میناکاری شفاف آبی روشن بر روی زمینه حکاکی موتورمحور (گیوشه) تزیین شده است”
  • “دو نیمکره با نقش‌مایه‌های گیاهی زرین حکاکی‌شده و الماس‌های بسیار ریز مرصع‌کاری گردیده‌اند”

Movement and Function

The internal mechanism is a small-dimension movement constructed on a three-quarter plate, finished in gold. The gear train is positioned above the mainspring barrel. Key components of the watch include a plain balance cock equipped with a polished steel regulator, and a three-arm gold balance wheel paired with a blued steel hairspring. The escapement is a traditional cylinder type with a polished steel escape wheel.

The watch functions as a keyless timepiece, utilizing an internal mechanism that allows for winding and hand setting by rotating the upper hemisphere of the case relative to the lower hemisphere. The movement bears the signature 'NOVO' and the serial number 32774 on the bridge.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای ساختار سه‌چهارم صفحه (Three-Quarter Plate) طلایی و ابعاد کوچک است”
  • “بر روی پل موتور علامت صلیب، نام NOVO و شماره ۳۲۷۷۴ دیده می‌شود”
  • “سیلندر فولادی صیقلی و چرخ دنگ فولادی”

Dial and Presentation

The dial is made of white enamel and displays black Arabic numerals for the hours. A distinct feature is the inclusion of the numeral 12, which is painted in red. The hands and the minute graduation markers are crafted from brass or a gilt material.

The object is provided with a storage case described as blue in color, featuring an interior lining made of velvet and satin to protect the watch when not in use. The auction description reports that specific details regarding the current mechanical health or previous service history are not known.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه ساعت از نوع مینای سفید کوچک با اعداد عربی مشکی است که عدد ۱۲ روی آن به رنگ قرمز ثبت شده”
  • “ساعت همراه با یک جعبه نگهداری آبی‌رنگ با آستر مخمل و ساتن عرضه می‌شود”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer history of the 'NOVO' mark on this caliber?
  • Does the serial number 32774 correspond to specific Swiss production records from the late 19th century?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Diamond Set Gold and Enamel Ball Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerNOVO“بر روی پل موتور علامت صلیب، نام NOVO و شماره ۳۲۷۷۴ دیده می‌شود”
Movement Serial32774“بر روی پل موتور علامت صلیب، نام NOVO و شماره ۳۲۷۷۴ دیده می‌شود”
EscapementCylinder“سیلندر فولادی صیقلی و چرخ دنگ فولادی”
DialWhite enamel with Arabic numerals“صفحه ساعت از نوع مینای سفید کوچک با اعداد عربی مشکی است که عدد ۱۲ روی آن به رنگ قرمز ثبت شده”
Winding MechanismHemisphere rotation“کوک کردن و تنظیم زمان این ساعت بدون نیاز به کلید و از طریق چرخاندن نیمکره بالایی بدنه نسبت به نیمکره پایینی صورت می‌پذیرد”
DecorationEnamel and diamonds“تمام سطوح آن با میناکاری شفاف آبی روشن بر روی زمینه حکاکی موتورمحور (گیوشه) تزیین شده است. بخش میانی بدنه با چهار قطعه الماس کوچک تزیین شده”

Visible details

  • Case features translucent blue enamel over guilloche engraving
  • Includes original blue velvet and satin-lined storage box
  • Winding and time-setting are achieved by rotating the case hemispheres
  • Movement is a three-quarter plate design with a cylinder escapement

Research qualifications

  • Mechanical working order is unverified
  • Authenticity of diamonds and enamel condition are unverified

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

Consulted source

Diamond Set Gold and Enamel Ball Watch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record b76b36c550

Terms in this record

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

Other ball watch records