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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge pocket watch

Gold and Enamel Triple Cased Verge Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This late 18th-century French triple-cased verge pocket watch is signed by the makers Les Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens. The movement is a full-plate design featuring fire gilding and five-sided baluster pillars. It utilizes a fusee and chain transmission system and a verge escapement. The balance cock and its supporting plate are pierced and engraved, accompanied by a silver regulation disc. The watch is powered by a plain three-arm gilded balance and a blued steel hairspring. The construction consists of three distinct cases: a simple gold inner case with pendant and loop, a middle gold case decorated with champlevé enamel and a polychrome miniature portrait of a young lady, and a third outer protective case with a glass back. The white enamel dial features Roman numerals for hours and Arabic numerals for minutes, complemented by openwork gilt hands.

Detailed view of the middle case back featuring a polychrome miniature portrait.
Detailed view of the middle case back featuring a polychrome miniature portrait. — Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Les Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Late 18th century
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
10235

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 Decoration

The watch is housed in three distinct cases designed for protection and aesthetic display. The innermost case is a functional gold housing featuring a gold pendant and loop. A gold, fire-gilded circular blocker for the winding hole is integrated into the inner case back, complete with a slot for manual adjustment.

The middle case is constructed of gold, with borders enhanced by champlevé enamel work. The case back features a detailed polychrome miniature painting depicting a young woman. An outer third case serves as a protective cover, fitted with a glass back. The source notes that the coating on the gilded borders of this outer case has diminished over time.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه این ساعت متشکل از سه قاب مجزا است”
  • “قاب میانی از جنس طلا بوده و زه‌های آن با حکاکی و میناکاری شامپلوه (Champlevé) تزیین شده است”
  • “قاب سوم یک پوشش محافظ بیرونی با پشت شیشه‌ای است”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a full-plate caliber finished with fire gilding. It is supported by five-sided baluster pillars. The power is delivered to the verge escapement via a fusee and chain system.

Technical refinement is observed in the balance cock and plate, which are pierced and engraved. Regulation of the plain, three-arm gilded balance is managed via a silver disc. The escapement incorporates a spiral blued steel hairspring.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت از نوع تمام‌پلیت با طلاکاری آتشین (Fire gilt) است که بر روی پایه‌های بالستری پنج‌ضلعی سوار شده است”
  • “انتقال نیرو از طریق سیستم فوزه و زنجیر (Fusee and chain) صورت می‌گیرد”
  • “خروسگ رقاصک (Balance cock) و پایه آن به همراه صفحه دیسک تنظیم‌کننده نقره‌ای به‌صورت کاملاً مشبک‌کاری و قلم‌زنی اجرا شده‌اند”

Dial and Hands

The dial is composed of white enamel and displays a dual-numeral system, utilizing Roman numerals for the hour intervals and Arabic numerals for the minutes.

The time is indicated by openwork, gilded hands. Collectors are advised to inspect the dial surface independently to ensure the absence of hairline cracks, as the functional status of the movement is not recorded in the source material.

Evidence for this section
  • “صفحه ساعت از مینای سفید با اعداد رومی برای ساعت‌ها و ارقام عربی برای دقایق ساخته شده و عقربه‌های زراندود مشبک روی آن نصب گردیده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical context of the makers Les Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens?
  • Does the serial number 10235 correlate with known production registers for the late 18th century?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold and Enamel Triple Cased Verge Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLes Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens“نام سازندگان تاریخی Les Frères Esquivillon & De Choudens”
Serial Number10235“شماره سریال ۱۰۲۳۵”
EscapementVerge“سازوکار چرخ‌دنگ ورژ (Verge escapement)”
Case StructureTriple cased“ساختار سه‌قاب (Triple Cased)”
OriginFrance“مبدا ساخت: فرانسه (طبق منبع)”
Power TransmissionFusee and chain“انتقال نیرو از طریق سیستم فوزه و زنجیر (Fusee and chain) صورت می‌گیرد.”
Dial DescriptionWhite enamel with Roman and Arabic numerals“صفحه ساعت از مینای سفید با اعداد رومی برای ساعت‌ها و ارقام عربی برای دقایق ساخته شده”
DecorationChamplevé enamel“زه‌های آن با حکاکی و میناکاری شامپلوه (Champlevé) تزیین شده است”

Visible details

  • Middle case features champlevé enamel and a miniature portrait
  • Dial includes both Roman and Arabic numerals
  • Movement components are pierced and engraved
  • Presence of an outer protective case with glass backing

Research qualifications

  • Condition of the fusee chain is not documented
  • Integrity of the enamel portrait and potential hair-line cracks on the dial remain unverified

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

Consulted source

Gold and Enamel Triple Cased Verge Pocket Watch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 93c91dc57e

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

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