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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Graduate's skeletonised pocket watch

École d'Horlogerie Neuchâtel graduate's pocket watch

Partially verified

This graduate's pocket watch, originating from the École d'Horlogerie Neuchâtel in Switzerland, dates to approximately 1900. The watch features a skeletonised dial and a skeletonised bridge movement, equipped with a lever escapement and a gold screw compensation balance. The case measures 53 mm in diameter and is constructed from niello silver, decorated with a poppy and spike pattern. It includes a gold crown and bears the case maker's punch mark "Niel HF" associated with Huguenin Freres. According to the auction report, the movement is capable of running, although professional cleaning is recommended to ensure optimal function. The total weight of the object is 80 grams, and it is marked with serial number 1920 on both the movement and case.

Full view of the open-faced pocket watch, showing the skeletonised dial and internal bridge movement.
Full view of the open-faced pocket watch, showing the skeletonised dial and internal bridge movement. — Invaluable. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Graduate's skeletonised pocket watch
Maker / attribution
École d'Horlogerie Neuchâtel
Reference
LeCoultre 19RV
Catalogue / lot identifier
112
Source-reported date
circa 1900
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
1920

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

The watch is housed in a niello-silver case measuring 53 mm in diameter. The exterior surface displays a detailed decorative pattern consisting of poppy flowers and wheat spikes. The case is finished with a gold-coloured crown, providing a visual contrast to the dark niello finish of the silver. The punch mark "Niel HF" is present on the case, indicating manufacture by Huguenin Freres.

The watch features a skeletonised dial design, which allows for an unobstructed view of the internal bridge movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: Niello silver, poppy and spike decoration, gold crown, case maker's punch mark "Niel HF”
  • “Dial: Skeletonised.”

Movement and Construction

The timepiece is powered by a skeletonised bridge movement based on the LeCoultre 19RV caliber. The movement incorporates a lever escapement and a gold screw compensation balance, components chosen for their function and precision.

Serial numbers are consistent across the watch, with both the movement and the case bearing the number 1920. The auction description reports that the movement is capable of running, though it suggests that a professional cleaning is recommended to maintain the condition of the mechanism.

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

Historical Context

The École d'Horlogerie Neuchâtel functioned as a specialized technical institution in Switzerland during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Students at the school frequently produced pocket watches or movements specifically for their final examinations.

Evidence for this section
  • “The École d’horlogerie de Neuchâtel (Neuchâtel Watchmaking School) was a historic Swiss technical school for watchmaking in the canton of Neuchâtel.”
  • “Graduates of these watchmaking schools often built their own pocket watches or movements as final examination pieces.”

Open research questions

  • What specific examination criteria were required for students at the Neuchâtel school to earn their qualification?
  • How does the LeCoultre 19RV caliber utilized in this watch compare to standard production movements of the same era?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for École d'Horlogerie Neuchâtel graduate's pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerÉcole d'Horlogerie Neuchâtel“made at the watchmaking school Neuchâtel”
Case materialNiello silver“Case: Niello silver”
DecorationPoppy and spike motif“poppy and spike decoration”
MovementCaliber LeCoultre 19RV“Cal. LeCoultre 19RV”
EscapementLever escapement“lever escapement”
BalanceGold screw compensation balance“gold screw compensation balance”
Maker markNiel HF (Huguenin Freres)“case maker's punch mark "Niel HF" (Huguenin Freres / Huguenin Freres & Co. / Fabrique Niel)”

Visible details

  • Case decorated with floral poppy and wheat spike motifs
  • Skeletonised dial reveals the movement mechanism
  • Gold crown contrasts with the silver-coloured case
  • Blued steel hands visible against the skeletonised layout

Research qualifications

  • Originality of movement pairing is implied but not explicitly verified by period documentation
  • Actual functionality is noted as 'capable of running' rather than fully serviced

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

Consulted source

École d'Horlogerie Neuchâtel - Montre École

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 446f006819

Terms in this record

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