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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Miniature pocket watch

French Miniature Three-Colour Gold Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This miniature pocket watch is attributed to France, dating to the late 18th century. The dial is crafted from gold with engine-turned decoration and applied gold Roman numerals, accompanied by blued steel Breguet-style hands. The internal fusee movement, originally designed with a full gilt plate, has been converted to a cylinder escapement. The movement includes a pierced and engraved balance cock with a garnet endstone, a simple three-arm balance, a silvered regulator dial, and a large steel escape wheel. The piece is described as a miniature, although specific dimensions are not provided. The movement contains a signature on the bridge. The object is presented as an example of decorative miniature horology from the late 18th century period.

Full view of the miniature pocket watch, showing the engine-turned gold dial and blued steel Breguet hands.
Full view of the miniature pocket watch, showing the engine-turned gold dial and blued steel Breguet hands. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Miniature pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
late 18th century
Source-reported place
France

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 consular-style case fabricated from 18-karat three-colour gold. The exterior back of the case is decorated with a relief scene depicting a dog in pursuit of birds, incorporating the three-colour gold palette. The sides of the body feature intricate engravings and coordinated decorative motifs.

The dial is constructed from gold and exhibits an engine-turned finish. It displays applied gold Roman numerals. Time is indicated by blued steel hands in the Breguet style. A winding aperture is positioned directly on the dial surface.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب ساعت از نوع کنسولار (Consular) و از طلای ۱۸ عیار ساخته شده است”
  • “این صحنه تصویری از سگی را در حال تعقیب پرندگان به نمایش می‌گذارد”
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس طلا و دارای پرداخت موتورچین (Engine-turned/گیوشه) است”
  • “عقربه‌های فولادی آبی‌رنگ به سبک برگه (Breguet hands) زمان را نشان می‌دهند”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a miniature fusee caliber with a full gilt plate. A significant feature of the movement is the balance cock, which is elaborately pierced and engraved, housing a garnet endstone within a polished steel base. The balance is a simple three-arm gilt version paired with a blued steel hairspring.

According to the source documentation, the movement has been converted from its original configuration to a cylinder escapement. This assembly includes a large steel escape wheel. Regulation is managed via a silvered scale with a blued steel indicator hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع فوزه (Fusee) با صفحه کامل طلااندود (Gilt full plate) در ابعاد کوچک است”
  • “خروس رقاصک (Bridge cock) با ظرافت مشبک‌کاری و حکاکی شده و سنگ عقیق (Garnet endstone) در یک پایه فولادی صیقلی قرار گرفته است”
  • “مکانیزم این موتور به‌شکلی تمیز به سیستم دنگ استوانه‌ای (Cylinder escapement) تبدیل شده است”
  • “چرخ دنگ بزرگ فولادی از دیگر ویژگی‌های مکانیکی آن هستند”

Documentation and Observations

The watch is documented as a French miniature piece from the late 18th century. Specific dimensions in millimeters were not provided in the reference documentation. The movement bridge contains a signature, which is visible in the provided photographic records.

The condition of the movement, including the fusee chain, the converted escapement, and the provenance of the signature, remains unverified by the provided information. Collectors are encouraged to conduct independent assessments of the mechanical integrity of the piece, as service records are not available.

Evidence for this section
  • “این اثر یک ساعت جیبی مینیاتوری تزیینی ساخت فرانسه متعلق به اواخر قرن هجدهم میلادی است”
  • “اندازه‌گیری میلی‌متری دقیقی در متن ارایه نشده”
  • “امضای حک‌شده روی پل موتور (مشاهده‌شده در تصاویر به‌صورت نام سازنده فرانسوی)”
  • “وضعیت کارکرد فعلی و تاریخچه سرویس ذکر نشده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific identity of the French maker signed on the movement bridge?
  • What are the precise dimensions of this miniature case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for French Miniature Three-Colour Gold Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Periodlate 18th century“اواخر قرن هجدهم میلادی”
Country of originFrance“فرانسه”
Case typeConsular“قاب ساعت از نوع کنسولار (Consular)”
Case material18-karat gold“طلای ۱۸ عیار”
Dial decorationEngine-turned (guilloché)“پرداخت موتورچین (Engine-turned/گیوشه)”
Movement typeFusee with later cylinder escapement conversion“مکانیزم این موتور به‌شکلی تمیز به سیستم دنگ استوانه‌ای (Cylinder escapement) تبدیل شده است.”
HandsBlued steel Breguet-style“عقربه‌های فولادی آبی‌رنگ به سبک برگه (Breguet hands)”

Visible details

  • Case back features a relief scene of a dog chasing birds in three-colour gold
  • Dial has engine-turned patterning and applied gold Roman numerals
  • Movement features a pierced balance cock with a garnet endstone
  • Presence of a silver regulator scale

Research qualifications

  • Current functional status and service history are unknown
  • The reported conversion to cylinder escapement and potential signature authenticity require independent verification

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

Consulted source

Decorative Miniature Three Colour Gold Watch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 9fc03f841f

Terms in this record

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