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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Ecole d'Horlogerie Genève graduate's pocket watch

Partially verified

This Swiss pocket watch is identified as a graduate's work from the École d'horlogerie de Genève (Geneva Watchmaking School). Dated to circa 1940, the watch features a 52 mm silver case with a gold crown, hinge, and shackle, weighing 103 grams. The dial is enamel, featuring Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds sub-dial. The timepiece contains a bridge movement with a lever escapement and a Guillaume screw compensation balance. It is noted in the source documentation to bear the Poinçon de Genève hallmark. The watch is classified as a 'Montre École', reflecting the school's historical curriculum where students manufactured, assembled, and regulated complete timepieces independently as part of their training. The auction description reports that the movement is capable of running, although cleaning is recommended for future maintenance.

Front view of the Ecole d'Horlogerie Genève pocket watch showing the enamel dial and subsidiary seconds sub-dial.
Front view of the Ecole d'Horlogerie Genève pocket watch showing the enamel dial and subsidiary seconds sub-dial. — Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
École d'horlogerie de Genève
Reference
4320-640
Catalogue / lot identifier
123
Source-reported date
circa 1940
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
133

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

Construction and Materials

The pocket watch is constructed with a 52 mm silver case. Additional physical elements include a gold crown, hinge, and shackle, which provide a distinct aesthetic contrast to the silver body. The watch has a total weight of 103 grams.

The dial is made of enamel and features a traditional layout with Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds indicator positioned at the six o'clock mark. The design is consistent with the output expected of the school's pedagogical approach to watchmaking during this period.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: Silver, smooth, gold crown, hinge and shackle.”
  • “Dial: Enamel.”

Movement and Escapement

The timepiece is powered by a bridge-style movement, identified by reference Cal. 4320-640 and movement number 237.1. The mechanism utilizes a lever escapement for timekeeping regulation.

To ensure precision, the watch incorporates a Guillaume screw compensation balance. The auction description reports that the movement is in very good condition and is currently capable of running, though it specifies that professional cleaning is recommended.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movm.: Bridge movement, lever escapement, Guillaume screw compensation balance.”
  • “Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.”

Institutional Context

The object is identified as a 'Montre École', representing the instructional curriculum of the École d'horlogerie de Genève. This program required students to independently manage the design, manufacturing, assembly, and regulation of a watch.

The piece bears the Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal), a hallmark associated with the institution and the broader canton.

Evidence for this section
  • “A hallmark of its curriculum is the tradition of the so-called Montre École (school watch)”
  • “The Poinçon de Genève (Geneva Seal) is a legally protected quality and origin hallmark for mechanical watches.”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the handwritten '237.1' found on the back of the case?
  • Can the graduation year of the student who made this watch be verified via school archives?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ecole d'Horlogerie Genève graduate's pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerÉcole d'horlogerie de Genève“École d'Horlogerie Genève”
Reference4320-640“Cal. 4320-640”
Case Number133“Case No. 133”
Movement Number237.1“Movm. No. 237.1”
Dimensions52 mm“Dimensions 52 mm”
Weight103 g“Weight 103 g”
Case MaterialSilver“Case: Silver”
Dial MaterialEnamel“Dial: Enamel”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Arabic numerals
  • Visible gold-colored crown and shackle
  • Handwritten number 237.1 on the case back
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • The source does not specify the materials of the gold-toned components
  • The provenance of the handwritten number on the case back is not stated

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

Consulted source

École d'Horlogerie Genève - Poinçon de Genève

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record d15589d8c2

Terms in this record

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

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