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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Gold-Filled Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open face pocket watch measures 42.00 mm in case diameter and has a total weight of 35.30 dwt. The auction description notes a gold-filled case with an engraved pastoral scene on the back and an inner case back stamped 7443 I264. It is powered by a key-wound and key-set 13-jewel gilt movement with a detached lever escapement. The cuvette is engraved 'No 1264 DETACHED LEVER 13 JEWELS F.H. Drore Ginnel Chaux-de-Fonds'. A golden dial features an engine-turned and engraved fruit arrangement, applied silver Roman numeral hour markers, and a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock.

Dial and front view of the open face pocket watch
Dial and front view of the open face pocket watch — Hindman. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bidsquare.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
F.H. Drore Ginnel
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
103
Source-reported date
Not established
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
1264

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

Dial and Visual Presentation

The timepiece features a golden metallic dial centered with an engine-turned and engraved fruit arrangement. It is configured with applied silver Roman numeral hour markers on an outer textured ring, openwork hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock.

The watch is set in an open-face configuration with a top winding pendant and suspension bow. The engraved fruit center and contrasting applied Roman numerals constitute the primary visible decorative features in the available photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Golden metallic dial with an engraved fruit motif at center”
  • “Applied silver Roman numeral hour markers on an outer textured ring”
  • “engine turned and engraved fruit dial, applied silver Roman numerals, subdial for seconds at 6 o'clock”

Case and Cuvette Inscriptions

The auction catalog reports a gold-filled case measuring 42.00 mm in diameter, featuring an exterior case back engraved with a pastoral scene, and an overall weight of 35.30 dwt.

The interior is described as having an inner case back stamped '7443 I264' and a gilt cuvette engraved with the inscription: 'No 1264 DETACHED LEVER 13 JEWELS F.H. Drore Ginnel Chaux-de-Fonds.'

Evidence for this section
  • “the case back with engraved pastoral scene. Inner case back stamp: 7443 I264. 35.30 dwt.”
  • “Cuvette engraving: No 1264 DETACHED LEVER 13 JEWELS F.H. Drore Ginnel Chaux-de-Fonds.”

Reported Movement and Technical Specifications

Hindman describes the internal mechanism as a key-wound and key-set 13-jewel gilt movement, with the cuvette text indicating a detached lever escapement.

Because neither the movement, the cuvette, nor the case back are shown in the single provided front photograph, these technical details and the maker attribution to 'F.H. Drore Ginnel Chaux-de-Fonds' rely entirely on the auction house's transcriptions.

Evidence for this section
  • “key wound and set 13 jewel gilt movement, gilt cuvette with engraved text”
  • “No 1264 DETACHED LEVER 13 JEWELS F.H. Drore Ginnel Chaux-de-Fonds.”

Open research questions

  • What specific layout, bridge architecture, and finishing marks are visible on the movement when directly examined?
  • Does the stamped mark '7443 I264' on the inner case back indicate a case maker's serial number or model reference?
  • Can historical Swiss trade records or watchmaking registers from La Chaux-de-Fonds corroborate the name 'F.H. Drore Ginnel' or suggest a transcription variant?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold-Filled Open Face Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Diameter42.00 mm“42.00 mm case diameter”
Movement Jewels13 jewels“13 jewel gilt movement”
Winding and SettingKey wound and set“key wound and set”
Cuvette EngravingNo 1264 DETACHED LEVER 13 JEWELS F.H. Drore Ginnel Chaux-de-Fonds“No 1264 DETACHED LEVER 13 JEWELS F.H. Drore Ginnel Chaux-de-Fonds.”
Inner Case Back Stamp7443 I264“Inner case back stamp: 7443 I264.”
Weight35.30 dwt“35.30 dwt.”
ProvenanceProperty from the Collection of Mrs. Joseph Levy, Jr., Winnetka, Illinois“Property from the Collection of Mrs. Joseph Levy, Jr., Winnetka, Illinois”
Case Back Exterior DecorationEngraved pastoral scene“the case back with engraved pastoral scene”

Visible details

  • Golden metallic dial with an engraved fruit motif at center
  • Applied silver Roman numeral hour markers on an outer textured ring
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned at 6 o'clock
  • Open face case configuration with top winding pendant and suspension bow
  • Ornate openwork hands

Research qualifications

  • The movement, inner cuvette, and case back are not visible in the supplied single photograph.
  • Maker and geographic origin are based entirely on cuvette text reported by the auction house.

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

Consulted source

GOLD-FILLED OPEN FACE POCKET WATCH sold at auction on 6th October | Bidsquare

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 9c1fee957f

Terms in this record

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

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