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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge pocket watch

Gold and Enamel Stone-Set Verge Pocket Watch by Isaac Soret & Fils

Partially verified

This 18th-century Swiss pocket watch is signed by the Geneva maker Isaac Soret & Fils. It is housed in a consular gold case, featuring intricate exterior ornamentation. The reverse of the case contains an oval cartouche rendered in tri-color gold and enamel, depicting a basket of flowers and a bird. This central motif is encircled by a border of stones and semi-transparent green enamel applied over an engine-turned ground. The outer periphery is decorated with enameled floral motifs and a rope-patterned gold border. The front bezel is stone-set. The white enamel dial displays Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals, with winding performed directly through the dial. The watch is powered by a full-plate fusee movement with a verge escapement. It features a pierced and engraved balance cock with a steel coqueret, a three-arm balance wheel, and a blued-steel spiral hairspring, adjusted via a silver regulator dial.

The reverse of the consular gold case, featuring an oval tri-color gold cartouche with floral and bird motifs.
The reverse of the consular gold case, featuring an oval tri-color gold cartouche with floral and bird motifs. — Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Isaac Soret & Fils
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
18th 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 Exterior Decoration

The watch is encased in a gold consular-style housing. The reverse case back displays an oval, tri-color gold cartouche featuring a floral basket and bird motif. This central element is surrounded by a ring of stones, set against a background of semi-transparent green enamel over an engine-turned surface.

Additional decorative elements include an outer border of enameled vegetal patterns and a rope-like gold relief. The front bezel is stone-set, matching the aesthetic of the case back. The overall design integrates multiple precious materials and traditional enameling techniques.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب کنسولار (consular case) از جنس طلا، مزین به میناکاری و نگین‌نشانی نفیس”
  • “کارتریج بیضی‌شکل از طلای سه‌رنگ و میناکاری تعبیه شده که طرح سبد گل و پرنده را به تصویر می‌کشد”
  • “حاشیه خارجی قاب نیز دارای نواری از نقوش گیاهی میناکاری‌شده همراه با نوار برجسته طناب‌مانند طلا است”

Dial and Hands

The watch features a white enamel dial designed for clear time reading. It utilizes Roman numerals to indicate the hours, while smaller Arabic numerals are used for the minutes. Winding is achieved directly through the dial, consistent with the period construction.

The hands are of an openwork, pierced design and are further embellished with set stones, aligning with the ornamental treatment of the watch exterior. The dial layout serves both functional timekeeping and decorative purposes.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه سفید از جنس لعاب مینا (enamel) بوده و با اعداد رومی برای ساعت و اعداد عربی برای دقایق طراحی شده است”
  • “کوک ساعت از روی صفحه انجام می‌شود”
  • “عقربه‌های مشبک ساعت نیز نگین‌نشان هستند”

Movement and Escapement

The interior mechanism is a full-plate gilt movement equipped with a fusee drive and a verge escapement. The balance cock is notable for its delicate pierced and engraved workmanship and includes a steel coqueret. The assembly incorporates a simple three-arm balance wheel with a gold finish.

Regulation is controlled via a silver regulator dial with a blued steel hand. The movement also features a blued steel spiral hairspring. These components are signatures of the technical standards utilized by Isaac Soret & Fils during this period.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای صفحه کامل با روکش طلایی (full plate gilt) و سیستم انتقال نیروی فیوزی (fusee) همراه با چرخ‌دنگ ویرگول (verge) است”
  • “خروسک تعادل (bridge cock) دارای برش‌ها و حکاکی‌های ظریف مشبک بوده و مجهز به روکش فولادی (steel coqueret) است”
  • “صفحه تنظیم نقره‌ای (regulator dial) با عقربه فولادی آبی‌شده جهت تنظیم آهنگ حرکت”

Open research questions

  • Can the specific production date be narrowed down within the 18th century based on the serial number, if one exists?
  • What specific types of stones are used in the settings on the bezel and hands?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold and Enamel Stone-Set Verge Pocket Watch by Isaac Soret & Fils
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerIsaac Soret & Fils“امضای سازنده بنام Isaac Soret & Fils به چشم می‌خورد”
Country of originSwitzerland“ساعت جیبی عتیقه سوئیسی”
Movement typeVerge fusee“سیستم انتقال نیروی فیوزی (fusee) همراه با چرخ‌دنگ ویرگول (verge) است”
Case materialGold“بدنه ساعت از جنس طلا بوده”
Dial materialWhite enamel“صفحه سفید از جنس لعاب مینا (enamel) بوده”
Era18th century“متعلق به قرن هجدهم میلادی”
RegulatorSilver dial with blued steel hand“صفحه تنظیم نقره‌ای (regulator dial) با عقربه فولادی آبی‌شده جهت تنظیم آهنگ حرکت روی موتور قرار دارد”

Visible details

  • Oval cartouche on the case back depicts a basket of flowers and a bird
  • Dial features both Roman hour numerals and Arabic minute numerals
  • Balance cock is finely pierced and engraved
  • Openwork hands are stone-set

Research qualifications

  • Mechanical functionality has not been verified by the source
  • Integrity of the enamel and individual stones is unverified
  • Originality of the fusee chain assembly has not been confirmed

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

Consulted source

Gold and Enamel Stone Set Verge

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record e4def8e1c2

Terms in this record

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

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