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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Kaleidoscope mystery dial wristwatch

Ernest Borel Cocktail Watch Kaleidoscope Dial 32mm

Partially verified

This vintage Ernest Borel Cocktail wristwatch features a rotating black and gold kaleidoscope mystery disc at the centre of a black dial with gold markers and red triangular indicator hands. According to the seller, it is housed in a 32 mm yellow gold-plated round case with stepped bezel and pierced lugs, powered by a manual-wind 17-jewel caliber FHF 67 movement operating at 18,000 A/h. The dealer reports it is fitted to a black two-piece leather strap with a signed buckle and includes its Little Switzerland documentation dated May 27, 1967.

Front view of the Ernest Borel Cocktail wristwatch showing the kaleidoscope disc, red indicators, and cut-out lugs
Front view of the Ernest Borel Cocktail wristwatch showing the kaleidoscope disc, red indicators, and cut-out lugs — SECOND HAND HOROLOGY. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Kaleidoscope mystery dial wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Ernest Borel
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-3686
Source-reported date
1960s (sold May 27, 1967)
Country
Switzerland

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

Dial and Visual Presentation

The watch features a black dial centered around a rotating geometric rosette pattern rendered in gold and black. Time indication is provided by two red triangular, arrow-shaped pointers indicating the hours and minutes against applied gold markers.

The dial is marked 'BOREL' alongside the maker's logo at the top and 'Cocktail' at the bottom, with the lower perimeter inscribed 'T SWISS PATENT.T' around the 6 o'clock position.

Evidence for this section
  • “Centrally positioned rotating geometric rosette dial pattern in gold and black”
  • “Two red arrow-shaped pointers for hour and minute indication”
  • “Dial marked 'BOREL' at top and 'Cocktail' at bottom, with 'T SWISS PATENT.T' at 6 o'clock”
  • “The dial is signed with the Borel name/logo and the patent Cocktail.”

Case Construction and Dimensions

The timepiece is housed in a yellow gold-plated round case measuring a reported 32 mm in diameter, 11 mm in thickness, 41.4 mm lug-to-lug, and an 18 mm lug width. The front visual presentation displays a stepped bezel and openwork, cut-out fancy lugs.

The seller reports that one side of the case is signed 'Ernest Borel Swiss' and that the case features a display back and signed crown. The watch is presented on a reported black two-piece leather strap signed 'Ernest Borel Neuchatel Swiss' with a Borel buckle.

Evidence for this section
  • “Yellow gold-plated case with openwork, cut-out fancy lugs”
  • “cased in a 32mm round yellow gold-plated case with fixed stepped bezel and unique fancy lug design.”
  • “One of the side is also signed “Ernest Borel Swiss.” Display back and original Ernest Borel crown.”
  • “Case Lug to Lug 41.4 Case Thickness 11 Lug Width 18”
  • “This watch comes on the original Ernest Borel Neuchatel Swiss black two-piece leather strap with the original Borel buckle as well.”

Reported Movement and Retail Provenance

The internal mechanism is described by the seller as a manual-wind, unadjusted caliber FHF 67 movement signed by Ernest Borel, having 17 jewels, sweep seconds, an operating frequency of 18,000 A/h, and a 51-hour power reserve. Because only a single front view of the watch is provided, the movement and reported display back are not corroborated by visible evidence in the record.

Accompanying retail provenance reported by the seller indicates the watch was purchased on May 27, 1967, from Caribbean retailer Little Switzerland. The seller states the set includes an Ernest Borel Guarantee Certificate stamped with this purchase date and a Little Switzerland display box.

Evidence for this section
  • “powered by a signed Ernerst Borel movement caliber FHF 67, sweep-second, 17 jewels, 18,000 A/h, 51 hours power reserve, unadjusted, Swiss made.”
  • “Movement: ERNEST BOREL Seventeen 17 Jewels Swiss Unadjusted FHF 67”
  • “purchased on cruise in the Caribbean at the famous shop the Little Switzerland on May 27, 1967.”
  • “Ernest Borel Guarantee Certificate wit the purchase stamp and the original Little Switzerland display box.”

Open research questions

  • What specific reference or case serial number is stamped on the reverse or interior of the case?
  • Does direct visual inspection of the movement through the display back confirm the reported FHF 67 caliber designation and finishing?
  • Which specific Little Switzerland branch location is recorded on the 1967 guarantee certificate stamp?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ernest Borel Cocktail Watch Kaleidoscope Dial 32mm
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
SKUWA-3686“SKU: WA-3686”
Movement CaliberFHF 67“movement caliber FHF 67, sweep-second, 17 jewels, 18,000 A/h”
Case Diameter32 mm“Case Diameter 32”
Purchase DateMay 27, 1967“purchased on cruise in the Caribbean at the famous shop the Little Switzerland on May 27, 1967.”
Case FinishYellow gold-plated“cased in a 32mm round yellow gold-plated case”
Lug to Lug41.4 mm“Case Lug to Lug 41.4”
Case Thickness11 mm“Case Thickness 11”
Power Reserve51 hours (reported)“51 hours power reserve”

Visible details

  • Centrally positioned rotating geometric rosette dial pattern in gold and black
  • Two red arrow-shaped pointers for hour and minute indication
  • Yellow gold-plated case with openwork, cut-out fancy lugs
  • Dial marked 'BOREL' at top and 'Cocktail' at bottom, with 'T SWISS PATENT.T' at 6 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Movement and display caseback are described in the text but not visible in the provided image
  • The 1967 purchase date is derived from seller-reported warranty certificate details

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

Consulted source

1960s ERNEST BOREL Men's Cocktail Watch Kaleidoscope Dial 32mm Swiss W – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2b54f06bbd

Terms in this record

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