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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Deck watch

Edmond Jaeger Service Hydrographique de la Marine silver deck watch

Partially verified

This open-face deck watch, produced for the French navy's Service Hydrographique and signed Jaeger Paris on the dial, features a coin silver case measuring 73.5 mm in diameter. The source reports an 18-jewel stem-wind gilt bar movement with a lever escapement and a bimetallic Guillaume balance with gold screws. The single-sunk white enamel dial displays Arabic numerals and blued steel spade and poker hands with subsidiary seconds. Accompanying the watch is its fitted mahogany transport box with a chamois-lined receiver, while the case back is marked 'Marine Service Hydrographique 79303 Jaeger'.

Open-face silver deck watch displayed beside its fitted mahogany box
Open-face silver deck watch displayed beside its fitted mahogany box — Schmitt Horan & Co.. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bidsquare.com
Category
Pocket watch · Deck watch
Maker / attribution
Edmond Jaeger
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
427
Source-reported date
circa 1930
Country
France
Source-reported serial
79303

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

Object Identity and Markings

This timepiece is an open-face deck watch attributed to Edmond Jaeger, Paris, identified in the source as being for the French navy. The case back is marked with the inscription 'Marine Service Hydrographique 79303 Jaeger', and the serial number is recorded as 79303.

The watch is supplied with an original mahogany transport box, which features a chamois-lined receiver. The source provides a date estimate of circa 1930.

Evidence for this section
  • “Edmond Jaeger, Paris, a boxed silver deck watch for the French navy”
  • “the back marked "Marine Service Hydrographique 79303 Jaeger"”
  • “serial #79303”
  • “contained in it's original mahogany box with chamois lined receiver”
  • “circa 1930”

Construction and Dial

The watch is housed in a coin silver, open-face case measuring 73.5 mm in diameter, featuring a snap bezel and a hinged back. The white enamel dial is of a single-sunk design, featuring Arabic numerals and blued steel spade and poker hands.

Condition reporting notes the presence of faint hairlines on the dial at the 1, 3, and 6 o'clock positions, along with minor losses to the bluing on the hands. The case exhibits minor dings and scratches, with a small gap noted at the band when the rear cover is closed.

Evidence for this section
  • “coin silver, hinged back and snap bezel open face case”
  • “73.5mm”
  • “single sunk white enamel dial with blued steel spade and poker hands”
  • “Faint hairlines at 1,3 and 6:00”
  • “Minor losses to blue”
  • “Rear cover with small gap at band when closed”

Mechanism Specifications

The movement is an 18-jewel, stem-wind and set gilt bar caliber. It utilizes a lever escapement and is equipped with a bimetallic Guillaume balance featuring gold screws.

The source describes the movement as being in running order (winds, sets, and ticks), though notes low amplitude and a winding clutch that is slow to return to the pinion due to thickened lubricant.

Evidence for this section
  • “18 jewel, stem wind and set gilt bar movement with lever escapement and bimetallic Guillaume balance with gold screws”
  • “Running order (winds, sets and ticks) ; Low amplitude”
  • “Winding clutch slow to return to pinion after setting due to thickened lubricant”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival production records exist for the Service Hydrographique de la Marine serial range including 79303?
  • Can the metallurgical composition of the 'coin silver' case be verified against French naval procurement standards from the early 20th century?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Edmond Jaeger Service Hydrographique de la Marine silver deck watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker attributionEdmond Jaeger, Paris“Edmond Jaeger, Paris, a boxed silver deck watch for the French navy”
Movement specification18 jewel gilt bar movement with Guillaume balance“18 jewel, stem wind and set gilt bar movement with lever escapement and bimetallic Guillaume balance with gold screws”
Case markingMarine Service Hydrographique 79303 Jaeger“the back marked "Marine Service Hydrographique 79303 Jaeger"”
Serial number79303“serial #79303”
Case diameter73.5 mm“73.5mm”
Date estimatecirca 1930“circa 1930”
Box Dimensions2.5in x 4.125in x 5.25in“Dimensions: 2.5in x 4.125in x 5.25in”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Arabic numerals and a subsidiary seconds track at 6 o'clock.
  • Blued steel spade and poker hands.
  • Open-face silver case with a ribbed winding crown and rounded bow at 12 o'clock.
  • Two-tier hinged mahogany wooden box with an interior circular aperture panel and chamois-lined compartment containing a printed Jaeger label.

Research qualifications

  • Movement is not visible in the supplied photograph.
  • Low amplitude and running condition are source-reported and not independently verifiable.

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

Consulted source

An early 20th century silver Service Hydrographique de la Marine deck watch signed Jaeger Paris sold at auction on 4th May | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record cd338f93d5

Terms in this record

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

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