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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Ball watch

Gold and Enamel Ball Watch with Chain

Partially verified

This Swiss ball watch from the late 19th century features a spherical case decorated with dark blue translucent enamel over an engine-turned background, enhanced by white and gold floral motifs. The watch is suspended from a matching 650 mm gold chain, which consists of delicate links interspersed with blue enameled cylinders featuring central white enamel bands. The white enamel dial displays blue Arabic numerals, with the number 12 highlighted in red, and gold minute markers. The technical configuration of the movement is unusual, featuring a three-tier design with the wheel train positioned above the going barrel. The mechanism includes a compensation balance, a blue steel spiral hairspring, and a club-foot right-angle lever escapement. Winding and setting are achieved by rotating the upper hemisphere against the lower one. The watch is presented in its original custom-fitted red Moroccan leather box, which is signed by the London retailer Carrington & Co.

Gold and Enamel Ball Watch with matching chain in a red Moroccan leather box by Carrington & Co.
Gold and Enamel Ball Watch with matching chain in a red Moroccan leather box by Carrington & Co. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Ball watch
Maker / attribution
Swiss
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
late 19th century
Source-reported place
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

Case and Enamel Decoration

The object is housed in a spherical gold case designed as a ball watch, utilizing the rotating hemispheres for the winding and setting of the mechanism. The external surfaces of the gold case are decorated with translucent dark blue enamel, which is applied over a patterned engine-turned background.

This blue surface is further embellished with delicate hand-painted floral motifs in white and gold. The watch is accompanied by a matching necklace chain measuring 650 mm in length, which incorporates small metallic links paired with cylindrical segments finished in blue and white enamel.

Evidence for this section
  • “از طلای تزیین‌شده با میناکاری شفاف به رنگ آبی تیره بر روی زمینه‌ای با نقوش ظریف سفید و طلایی ساخته شده است”
  • “شیوه کوک و تنظیم آن است که از طریق چرخاندن نیم‌کره بالایی بدنه نسبت به نیم‌کره پایینی صورت می‌پذیرد.”

Movement and Escapement

The Swiss-made movement is constructed with a distinctive three-tier architecture. In this arrangement, the wheel train is positioned above the going barrel.

The technical specification includes a compensation balance paired with a blue steel spiral hairspring. The escapement is configured as a club-foot right-angle lever type. Additionally, the assembly features a polished steel regulator, which is positioned within the gilded framework of the movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت طبق منبع ساخت سوئیس و با روکش طلا (Gilt) بوده و از طراحی غیرمعمول سه‌طبقه (Three tiers) بهره می‌برد”
  • “سیستم رقاصک دارای بالانس جبرانی (Compensation balance) همراه با فنر مارپیچ فولادی آبی‌رنگ (Blue steel) و چنگال رقاصک قائم با زبانه گرزی (Club foot right angle lever escapement) است.”

Retailer and Presentation

The watch and chain are presented in a bespoke, fitted case attributed to the London retailer Carrington & Co, located on Regent Street. The exterior of the box is finished in red Moroccan leather, detailed with gold-stamped lines.

The interior of the box features a cream-colored velvet lining, shaped to hold the spherical watch and its chain. The retailer's name and address are embossed in gold within the lid, confirming the object's provenance as sold through this establishment.

Evidence for this section
  • “توسط جواهرفروشی و عرضه‌کننده نامدار انگلیسی، Carrington & Co در خیابان ریجنت لندن به فروش رسیده و درون جعبه سفارشی با درهای بازشو دوبل از جنس چرم مراکشی سرخ‌رنگ قرار گرفته است.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific material purity of the gold used for the case and chain?
  • Are there any identifiable maker marks or hallmarks hidden inside the watch case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold and Enamel Ball Watch with Chain
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case shapeBall Watch (two hemispheres)“فرم بدنه: کروی (Ball Watch) دو نیم‌کره”
Winding mechanismRotation of the upper hemisphere“شیوه کوک و تنظیم آن است که از طریق چرخاندن نیم‌کره بالایی بدنه نسبت به نیم‌کره پایینی صورت می‌پذیرد.”
EscapementClub foot right angle lever“چنگال رقاصک قائم با زبانه گرزی (Club foot right angle lever escapement)”
Chain length650 mm“طول گردنبند طلا: ۶۵۰ میلی‌متر”
Box materialRed Moroccan leather“جعبه دارای پوشش مخمل کرم‌رنگ و لایه خارجی چرم اعلای سرخ با خط‌کشی‌های زرکوب است.”
Movement architectureThree-tier design“طراحی غیرمعمول سه‌طبقه (Three tiers) بهره می‌برد”

Visible details

  • Case rotates at the equator to wind and set the time
  • Dial displays numerals 1 through 11 in blue, with red 12
  • Chain alternates between chain links and blue/white enamel decorative cylinders
  • Box interior features gold-stamped retailer signature

Research qualifications

  • Internal mechanical condition and potential wear to enamel or movement components are unverified
  • Exact metallurgical composition of the gold components is not specified

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

Consulted source

Gold and Enamel Ball Watch and Chain

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 2ecdadd071

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

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