Pocket watch · Dead center seconds pocket watch

Gold pocket watch with dead center seconds, attributed to Moïse Pouzait

Partially verified

This late eighteenth-century gold pocket watch is attributed by the auction house to Moïse Pouzait and was produced for the Chinese market. The lot description records an independent dead center seconds mechanism with a start/stop control along the case band. Visible through a glazed display back, the gilt movement features a Pouzait-type escapement with a large curved four-arm balance wheel set with brilliants and centered by a diamond endstone. According to the cataloguer, the white enamel dial presents Roman hour numerals, Arabic minute markers, and a railway minute track, while the movement plate bears a drypoint scratch number reading 440.

Exhibition case back showing the gilt movement and stone-set Pouzait-type balance wheel — Artcurial. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.invaluable.com
Category: Pocket watch · Dead center seconds pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Moïse Pouzait (attributed)
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 52
Source-reported date: Fin du XVIIIe siècle
Country: Not established
Source-reported serial: 440

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

Attribution and Market Context

The cataloguer dates this gold pocket watch to the late eighteenth century and presents an attribution to Moïse Pouzait, describing it as produced for the Chinese market. The text does not record any maker signature on the dial or movement.

The movement plate bears a drypoint scratch marking reading '440' rather than an engraved or stamped factory signature. Originating from an amateur's collection outside the EEC, the watch measures 60 mm in diameter and has a gross weight of 115.90 g.

Evidence for this section

“Attribué à MOÏSE POUZAIT”
“Fin du XVIIIe siècle”
“produite pour le marché chinois”
“griffé à la pointe sèche " 440 "”
“Diam. 60 mm”
“Poids. 115,90 g.”

Case and Movement Construction

Direct observation of the glazed case back shows a full gilt brass plate dominated by an oversized four-arm balance wheel with curved spokes set with cut stones. The visible balance cock bridge features a central diamond endstone and blued steel components alongside an index regulator scale and engraved foliate flourishes around the perimeter.

The cataloguer notes a hinged gold case with a transparent case back displaying the balance wheel, a smooth border with double gadrooning ('double godron'), and a start/stop control on the band.

Evidence for this section

“Glazed case back reveals a large gilt movement dominated by a curved four-arm balance wheel set with numerous small cut stones.”
“grand balancier quatre bras serti de brillants, diamant au centre pour l'axe de l'échappement”
“boîtier sur charnière, le fond transparent avec balancier apparent, la bordure lisse avec double godron”

Dial and Dial-Side Complication

According to the auction cataloguer, the dial is executed in white enamel with stylized hands, Roman numerals for the hours, Arabic numerals for the minutes, and a railway minute track.

The lot description indicates a center seconds hand operating with dead center seconds ('secondes mortes') and a Pouzait-type escapement, controlled via a start/stop function on the band. Because only the movement side is photographed, dial features remain unverified by visual evidence in the available record.

Evidence for this section

“Cadran : émail blanc avec trotteuse centrale dit " secondes mortes " avec la fonction marche/arrêt sur la tranche”
“aiguilles stylisées, chiffres romains pour les heures et arabes pour les minutes, minuterie chemin de fer”
“échappement de type "Pouzait"”

Open research questions

Are any hallmarks, case maker stamps, or serial numbers present on the interior of the gold case?
Does visual inspection of the dial confirm the stated hands, enamel preservation, and numerals?
Does the drypoint scratch '440' signify a watchmaker assembly mark or a later inventory number?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold pocket watch with dead center seconds, attributed to Moïse Pouzait
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Attribution	Moïse Pouzait	“Attribué à MOÏSE POUZAIT”
Date	Late 18th century	“Fin du XVIIIe siècle”
Complication	Dead center seconds	“secondes mortes échappement de type "Pouzait"”
Target market	Chinese market	“produite pour le marché chinois”
Diameter	60 mm	“Diam. 60 mm”
Weight	115.90 g	“Poids. 115,90 g.”
Marking	Scratch number 440	“griffé à la pointe sèche " 440 "”
Case design	Hinged gold case with transparent display back and double-gadrooned border	“boîtier sur charnière, le fond transparent avec balancier apparent, la bordure lisse avec double godron”
Balance regulator	Regulator needle for the balance spring	“aiguille de réglage pour le spiral”
Provenance	Collection of an amateur, from outside the EEC	“Provenance : Collection d'un amateur”

Visible details

Glazed case back reveals a large gilt movement dominated by a curved four-arm balance wheel set with numerous small cut stones.
Balance cock bridge features a central diamond endstone and blued steel components alongside an index regulator.
Perimeter of the gilt plate features engraved foliate flourishes and a calibrated regulator scale.
Gold open-face case displays smooth ribbed banding, a cylindrical pendant, and an engraved bow.

Research qualifications

Attribution to Moïse Pouzait is traditional and stated by the cataloguer, not confirmed by an explicit maker signature.
The dial and dial-side movement details are described in the auction text but are not visible in the supplied single reverse photograph.
Movement number 440 is recorded as a drypoint scratch rather than a stamped factory serial.

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

Consulted source

Sold at Auction: ¤ O - Attribué à MOÏSE POUZAIT

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record c8a85e843c

Terms in this record

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