Pocket watch · Cabriolet pendant watch

Fritz Courvoisier Cabriolet Lady's Pendant Watch

Partially verified

This 18K gold lady's pendant watch, attributed to Fritz Courvoisier of Locle and dating to approximately 1850, features a distinctive cabriolet construction. The timepiece is housed in an outer three-body case featuring royal blue translucent enamel panels, intricate gold vine and foliage detailing, and a central painted oval scene of a Swiss landscape. The inner case incorporates a chased foliate bezel and a hinged back decorated with a painted alpine floral landscape. It includes a hinged gold cuvette protecting the movement. The watch employs a white enamel dial with Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and a subsidiary seconds dial, completed by blued steel Breguet-style hands. The internal mechanism is a frosted gilt bar-caliber movement with 13 jewels, an uncut bimetallic compensation balance, and a detached lever escapement. The watch is signed and numbered on the cuvette, with matching serial numbers found on the case components.

The watch shown in its cabriolet configuration with the outer cover detached to reveal the dial, alongside a closed view of the decorated back cover. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category: Pocket watch · Cabriolet pendant watch
Maker / attribution: Fritz Courvoisier
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 143
Source-reported date: circa 1850
Source-reported place: Switzerland
Source-reported serial: 14263

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 Construction and Enamelwork

The watch utilizes a cabriolet case design consisting of an inner and outer assembly. The outer case is a three-body, hinged configuration finished with royal blue translucent enamel panels, which are bordered by white enamel and gold vine leaf foliage. A central oval scene depicting a Swiss landscape is painted on the exterior.

The inner case features a chased foliate bezel and a hinged back. The back cover is decorated with a detailed painting of flowers set within an alpine landscape, surrounded by a royal blue and gold border. A gold cuvette is hinged to protect the movement from the elements.

Evidence for this section

“Outer: detachable, three-body, hinged cover decorated with royal blue translucent enamel panels edged in white with gold vine leaves and foliage, central finely painted oval scene of a Swiss landscape”
“Inner: chased foliate bezel, hinged back cover decorated with a painted view of flowers in an alpine landscape, royal blue and gold border.”

Movement and Dial Details

The timepiece is powered by a frosted gilt, bar-caliber movement. Technical specifications include 13 jewels, an uncut bimetallic compensation balance, and a detached lever escapement. The watch uses an index regulator and a blued steel flat balance spring. The movement is signed and numbered on the gold cuvette.

The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals and is paired with an outer minute track. A subsidiary seconds dial is located at the bottom of the dial. Time is indicated by blued steel Breguet-style hands, which remain original according to the provided condition notes.

Evidence for this section

“Frosted gilt, bar caliber, 13-jewels, uncut bimetallic compensation balance, detached lever escapement, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator.”
“White enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel ?Breguet? hands.”

Provenance and Condition Reporting

The object was previously offered for sale by Antiquorum in February 2005 as lot 29. The current lot bears the same reference and serial number, providing continuity in its documented history.

The auction house assigns an overall grading of 'AA', indicating a 'Very Good' status. The case and movement are specifically rated as 'Good' (3-55 and 3* respectively), while the dial is rated as 'Good' (3-01).

Evidence for this section

“The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum, Hong Kong, February 20, 2005, lot 29.”
“Grading System Grade: AA Very good Case: 3-55 Good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Dial: 3-01 Good”

Open research questions

What is the specific significance of the cabriolet case design in the context of 19th-century lady's watches from Locle?
Are there archival records linking this serial number (14263) to specific retail ledgers of Fritz Courvoisier?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Fritz Courvoisier Cabriolet Lady's Pendant Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Fritz Courvoisier	“Fritz Courvoisier, Locle”
Serial Number	14263	“No. 14263”
Date	circa 1850	“Made circa 1850”
Case Material	18K gold	“18K gold and painted on enamel”
Movement Type	Bar caliber, 13-jewels	“Frosted gilt, bar caliber, 13-jewels”
Escapement	Detached lever	“detached lever escapement”
Dimensions	43 mm	“Diam. 43 mm”
Provenance	Antiquorum, Hong Kong, February 20, 2005, lot 29	“The present lot was previously sold by Antiquorum, Hong Kong, February 20, 2005, lot 29.”

Visible details

Case features royal blue translucent enamel panels with white-edged gold vine leaf ornamentation.
The inner case back is decorated with a painted floral scene set against an alpine landscape.
The movement is a frosted gilt bar-caliber type with 13 jewels.
Blued steel Breguet-style hands indicate time on a white enamel dial.

Research qualifications

The exact extent of restoration or surface wear is not detailed beyond a general grading of 'Good'.
The historical accuracy of the specific floral/alpine scene attribution is not verified.

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

Consulted source

'Alpine Landscape' Fritz Courvoisier, Locle, No. 14263. Made circa 1850. Fine and rare, 18K gold and painted on enamel cabriolet lady's pendant watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 4ece8381a8

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