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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Cocktail watch

Ernest Borel Ladies Cocktail Kaleidoscope Dial Wristwatch

Partially verified

This Ernest Borel ladies Cocktail wristwatch features a gold-tone round case measuring 25 mm in diameter with curved fancy lugs. The dial features a rotating kaleidoscopic mystery disk with a petal pattern in black and gold tones, indicated by two red perimeter arrows. Printed dial inscriptions read 'BOREL', 'Cocktail', 'MODELE DEPOSE', and 'SWISS PATENT'. The dealer describes the watch as housing a 17-jewel Synchron 26 mechanical movement with a display back, mounted on an original Ernest Borel black leather strap.

Dial and case view of the Ernest Borel Cocktail wristwatch on wrist
Dial and case view of the Ernest Borel Cocktail wristwatch on wrist — Secondhand Horology. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
secondhandhorology.com
Category
Wristwatch · Cocktail watch
Maker / attribution
Ernest Borel
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
WA-3987
Source-reported date
1950s
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 Case Construction

The watch features a gold-toned circular case fitted with curved fancy lugs extending across the strap attachment. Based on dealer measurements, the case measures 25 mm in diameter, 32.6 mm lug to lug, 9.7 mm in thickness, and has a lug width of 11 mm. The dealer also records the case markers as reading 'ERNEST BOREL SWISS'.

The dial displays a rotating central kaleidoscopic mystery disc executed in a black and gold geometric petal design. Time is marked by dual red pointer arrows positioned near the perimeter, alongside printed inscriptions including 'BOREL', 'Cocktail', 'MODELE DEPOSE', and 'SWISS PATENT'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold-toned case with curved fancy lugs spanning across the strap attachment”
  • “Case Diameter 25”
  • “Case Lug to Lug 32.6”
  • “Case Markers: ERNEST BOREL SWISS”
  • “Dial perimeter is inscribed 'BOREL', 'MODELE DEPOSE', 'Cocktail', and 'SWISS PATENT'”

Reported Movement and Operating Mechanism

The dealer reports that the watch is powered by a 17-jewel Swiss mechanical movement signed 'Synchron 26', described as unadjusted, and notes the presence of a 'display case back'. However, because no image of the case back or uncased movement is provided in the visual record, these internal details cannot be visually confirmed.

The dealer description contains directly contradictory statements regarding the winding mechanism, designating the item as an 'automatic cocktail wristwatch' while immediately stating 'It is a manual wind watch'. The exact operating winding system remains unresolved in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “powered with an mechanical movement signed Synchron 26, 17 jewels, unadjusted, Swiss made.”
  • “display case back.”
  • “an Ernest Borel automatic cocktail wristwatch, dated from 1950's. It is a manual wind watch”

Strap and Chronological Context

The watch is mounted on what the dealer describes as an 'Original Ernest Borel Swiss black leather two-piece strap', visually exhibiting a gold-toned interlocking loop chain motif. The dealer notes the strap fits a wrist size up to 17.2 cm (6 3/4 inches).

The seller dates the watch to the '1950's' and notes that the Cocktail model was patented in 1952 and introduced in 1953, continuing in production through approximately 1980 by which time the brand had been acquired by another concern. However, the reported 'Synchron 26' movement signature is associated with the later Synchron era, creating tension with the seller's 1950s dating that cannot be resolved without serial numbers or maker hallmarks.

Evidence for this section
  • “Black leather strap decorated with a gold-toned interlocking loop chain motif”
  • “Original Ernest Borel Swiss black leather two-piece strap. It will fit a wrist up to 6 3/4" (17.2 cm).”
  • “dated from 1950's.”
  • “The Cocktail Watch was produced continuously from 1953 right through to about 1980, by which the Ernest Borel company had been taken over by another concern.”

Open research questions

  • Does direct examination of the movement establish whether the mechanism is manual-wind or automatic, resolving the seller's conflicting text?
  • Does the reported 'Synchron 26' movement caliber indicate a later production period (late 1960s to 1970s) rather than the seller's stated 1950s date?
  • Can physical inspection of the reported display case back verify movement signatures, jewel count, and case reference numbers not recorded in the listing?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ernest Borel Ladies Cocktail Kaleidoscope Dial Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Movement caliberSynchron 26, 17 jewels“powered with an mechanical movement signed Synchron 26, 17 jewels, unadjusted, Swiss made.”
Case diameter25 mm“Case Diameter 25”
Case length32.6 mm lug to lug“Case Lug to Lug 32.6”
Case thickness9.7 mm“Case Thickness 9.7”
Lug width11 mm“Lug Width 11”
Case markingsERNEST BOREL SWISS“Case Markers: ERNEST BOREL SWISS”
Model production datesPatented 1952, introduced 1953, produced until circa 1980“This watch was patented in 1952 and introduced in 1953. The Cocktail Watch was produced continuously from 1953 right through to about 1980”

Visible details

  • Gold-toned case with curved fancy lugs spanning across the strap attachment
  • Rotating central kaleidoscopic disc with petal-like black and gold geometric design
  • Dual red triangular pointer arrows pointing outward/inward near the perimeter
  • Dial perimeter is inscribed 'BOREL', 'MODELE DEPOSE', 'Cocktail', and 'SWISS PATENT'
  • Black leather strap decorated with a gold-toned interlocking loop chain motif

Research qualifications

  • The source text confusingly describes the watch as both an 'automatic cocktail wristwatch' and 'a manual wind watch'
  • The movement and reported display back are not visible in the supplied photograph

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

Consulted source

1950s ERNEST BOREL Ladies Cocktail Watch Kaleidoscope Dial 25mm Swiss – SECOND HAND HOROLOGY

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 2e9fdb18c4

Terms in this record

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

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