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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Gustave Sandoz 18ct gold open face pocket watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch by Gustave Sandoz dates to circa 1900 and is housed in an 18ct gold case measuring 49 mm including the winding crown and bow. According to Bonhams, the reverse features an Art Nouveau floral whiplash design executed in high relief and sunken setting. The auction house reports that the interior houses a frosted gilt cylinder movement with a blued steel balance spring and a cut and compensated balance. The source also documents an enamel dial displaying Roman numerals, outer red five-minute markers, and plain hands, behind a hinged cuvette inscribed with the maker's Paris address.

Back view of 18ct gold pocket watch case showing relief Art Nouveau floral decoration
Back view of 18ct gold pocket watch case showing relief Art Nouveau floral decoration — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Gustave Sandoz
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
107
Source-reported date
circa 1900
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
11065

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 Design and Exterior Observation

The open-face pocket watch is housed in an 18ct gold case, catalogued with a measurement of 49 mm including the winding crown and bow. The reverse of the case is decorated with Art Nouveau floral whiplash relief and sunken setting. Direct visual observation reveals stylized floral motifs, budding clusters, and curving whiplash stems raised against a recessed, textured ground.

Below the pendant neck, an integrated monogram cartouche is positioned near the top of the case back. The pendant is fitted with a fluted winding crown and an oval-shaped suspension bow.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case back decorated with stylized floral motifs, budding clusters, and curving whiplash stems in relief against a recessed, textured ground.”
  • “Integrated monogram cartouche positioned near the top below the pendant neck.”
  • “Fluted winding crown with an oval-shaped suspension bow.”
  • “winding crown and bow 49mm.”
  • “gold case with high relief and sunken set floral whiplash decorated case back”

Reported Dial and Movement Specifications

The auction catalogue describes the internal movement as a frosted gilt cylinder movement equipped with a blued steel balance spring and a cut and compensated balance. These mechanical components are not depicted in the available lot photo.

The dial is catalogued as an enamel dial featuring Roman numerals, plain hands, and outer 5-minute divisions printed in red. As with the movement, visual confirmation is precluded by the single exterior rear photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Frosted gilt cylinder movement, blued steel balance spring, cut and compensated balance”
  • “enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer 5 minute divisions in red, plain hands”

Cuvette Inscription and Dating

Bonhams records a hinged cuvette signed with the maker's name, maritime horologist title, address, and serial number: 'Gustave Sandoz, Horloger de la Marine, Palais Royal 10 Rue Royal, Paris, No.11065'.

The piece is catalogued with an approximate date of circa 1900. Hallmarks, inner casemaker stamps, and movement engravings are not recorded in the source text or visible in the provided photo.

Evidence for this section
  • “hinged cuvette signed Gustave Sandoz, Horloger de la Marine, Palais Royal 10 Rue Royal, Paris, No.11065”
  • “Horloger de la Marine, Palais Royal 10 Rue Royal, Paris, No.11065, circa 1900”

Open research questions

  • What assay, fineness, or casemaker hallmarks are stamped on the interior of the case back and cuvette?
  • Does the frosted gilt cylinder movement bear caliber signatures or serial numbering matching No. 11065?
  • What is the diameter of the case body excluding the winding crown and bow?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gustave Sandoz 18ct gold open face pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18ct gold“A fine 18ct gold open face pocket watch”
Case Dimensions49mm including winding crown and bow“winding crown and bow 49mm.”
Movement TypeFrosted gilt cylinder movement“Frosted gilt cylinder movement”
Dial DescriptionEnamel dial with Roman numerals and red outer five-minute divisions“enamel dial with Roman numerals, outer 5 minute divisions in red, plain hands”
Cuvette InscriptionGustave Sandoz, Horloger de la Marine, Palais Royal 10 Rue Royal, Paris, No.11065“hinged cuvette signed Gustave Sandoz, Horloger de la Marine, Palais Royal 10 Rue Royal, Paris, No.11065”
Escapement BalanceBlued steel balance spring, cut and compensated balance“blued steel balance spring, cut and compensated balance”
Case Back OrnamentationHigh relief and sunken set floral whiplash“gold case with high relief and sunken set floral whiplash decorated case back”

Visible details

  • Case back decorated with stylized floral motifs, budding clusters, and curving whiplash stems in relief against a recessed, textured ground.
  • Integrated monogram cartouche positioned near the top below the pendant neck.
  • Fluted winding crown with an oval-shaped suspension bow.

Research qualifications

  • The dial and internal movement are catalogued by the source but are not visible in the provided image.
  • Internal hallmarks, movement numbering, and cuvette inscriptions are unverified by direct visual inspection.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : Gustave Sandoz. A fine 18ct gold open face pocket watch with Art Nouveau design case Horloger de la Marine, Palais Royal 10 Rue Royal, Paris, No.11065, circa 1900

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 820157c2d1

Terms in this record

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

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