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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge pocket watch

Gold and Enamel French Verge Pocket Watch by Barbier le Jeune

Partially verified

This late 18th-century French pocket watch, attributed to the maker Barbier le Jeune in Paris, features a gold consular case decorated with multi-colored enamel. The exterior exhibits a light blue enamel finish over a machine-turned guilloché ground, bordered by white enamel beads, with floral and scroll motifs in green, red, and white. The pendant is set with a single diamond. The watch has a white enamel dial with Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals, paired with pierced silver hands set with diamonds. Internally, the watch utilizes a mechanical key-wound full-plate movement with a fusee and chain mechanism and a verge escapement. The movement plates are gilt, featuring a highly ornate, pierced, and engraved balance cock with a steel coqueret. Precision is managed via a silver regulator index. The watch operates by direct winding through the dial.

Back view of the gold and enamel watch case, showing the guilloché pattern and diamond-set pendant.
Back view of the gold and enamel watch case, showing the guilloché pattern and diamond-set pendant. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Barbier le Jeune
Reference
2807
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 gold consular case, which serves as a canvas for complex decorative techniques. The rear exterior is finished in a light blue enamel applied over an engine-turned guilloché base. The perimeter is accented by a row of white enamel beads, while additional green, red, and white enamel provides floral and scroll-work detailing.

The dial is composed of white enamel, signed by Barbier le Jeune. Time is displayed via black Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes. The hands are fashioned from silver in a pierced, filigree design and are set with small diamonds. A single diamond is also incorporated into the gold pendant at the top of the case.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب ساعت از جنس طلا بوده و زه‌های آن با مینای سبز، سرخ و سفید در قالب نقوش اسلیمی و گیاهی تزیین شده است”
  • “بخش وسیعی از پشت قاب با مینای شفاف آبی کم‌رنگ روی زمینه حکاکی ماشینی (Engine-turned / Guilloché) پوشانده شده”
  • “عقربه‌های ساعت به صورت مشبک از جنس نقره ساخته شده و با تراش‌های الماس تزیین شده‌اند”

Movement and Escapement

The primary source of power is a fusee and chain mechanism, which compensates for the varying torque of the mainspring.

The escapement is of the verge type, regulating the energy release. The balance assembly includes a three-armed gold balance wheel and a flat, blued-steel hairspring. A distinct feature of the movement is the ornate, pierced and engraved balance cock, which includes a steel coqueret to reduce friction. Regulation is achieved using a silver index plate paired with a blued-steel indicator needle.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت یک نمونه مکانیکی کوکی تمام‌پلیت (Full plate) مجهز به سازوکار زنجیر و مخروط فیوزه (Fusee) و چرخ‌دنگ سرقفل (Verge escapement) است.”
  • “پل بالانس (Bridge cock) با مهارت بالایی مشبک‌کاری و قلم‌زنی شده و دارای کوکرت فولادی (Steel coqueret) است.”

Signatures and Attribution

The watch is signed on both the dial and the movement by the watchmaker Barbier le Jeune. The production is attributed to a workshop in Paris during the late 18th century. These signatures are consistent with the placement of horological markings for high-end French decorative watches of this era.

The documentation stresses the importance of examining these signed elements as part of the evaluation of the piece.

Evidence for this section
  • “توسط سازنده Barbier le Jeune در پاریس ساخته شده است”
  • “صفحه ساعت از مینای سفید با امضای Barbier le Jeune بوده”

Open research questions

  • Is the reference number 2807 a historical serial number assigned by Barbier le Jeune or a later inventory reference?
  • Are there visible hallmarks on the gold case interior that can assist in more precise dating or confirm the Parisian assay?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold and Enamel French Verge Pocket Watch by Barbier le Jeune
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBarbier le Jeune“Barbier le Jeune”
Movement TypeFull-plate mechanical key-wound with fusee“مکانیکی کوکی تمام‌پلیت (Full plate) مجهز به سازوکار زنجیر و مخروط فیوزه (Fusee)”
EscapementVerge“چرخ‌دنگ سرقفل (Verge escapement)”
Case DecorationBlue guilloché enamel with white enamel beads“بخش وسیعی از پشت قاب با مینای شفاف آبی کم‌رنگ روی زمینه حکاکی ماشینی (Engine-turned / Guilloché) پوشانده شده و حاشیه‌ای از دانه‌های مینایی شبیه مروارید سفید آن را احاطه کرده است.”
HandsPierced silver set with diamonds“عقربه‌های ساعت به صورت مشبک از جنس نقره ساخته شده و با تراش‌های الماس تزیین شده‌اند”
OriginFrance“کشور سازنده: فرانسه”

Visible details

  • Case decorated with blue guilloché enamel and white enamel borders
  • Diamond-set silver pierced hands
  • Intricately pierced and engraved balance cock with steel coqueret
  • Gilt movement with fusee and chain

Research qualifications

  • Operational status and service history are unknown
  • Integrity of enamel and diamond settings is unverified

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

Consulted source

Gold and Enamel French Verge Pocket Watch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record f25fa8fa34

Terms in this record

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

Other verge pocket watch records