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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · World time pocket watch

Hermès Gilt Brass World Time Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Hermès pocket watch features a 52 mm gilt brass case fitted with a top loop and winding crown. The watch includes a world time complication configured with an outer city bezel listing global locations and an internal 24-hour day/night ring. Its silvered central dial bears slender applied hour batons, gilt hands, and signatures for Hermès Paris and Swiss Made. Powering the timepiece is a manual-winding movement with 17 jewels signed by Luxor.

Front view of the Hermès gilt brass world time pocket watch with city bezel and silvered dial
Front view of the Hermès gilt brass world time pocket watch with city bezel and silvered dial — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · World time pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Hermès (movement signed Luxor)
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
91
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
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 Construction and Exterior

The pocket watch features a gilt brass case measuring 52 mm in diameter. A bow-shaped top loop surrounds a fluted winding crown situated at the 12 o'clock position.

The auctioneer's condition report notes some surface scratches on the case and reports that the crystal has a couple of cracks. The reverse of the case is not documented in the visible imagery or listing text.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: Gilt brass”
  • “DIAMETER: 52 mm.”
  • “Bow-shaped top loop surrounds a fluted winding crown at the 12 o'clock position”
  • “Some surface scratches, the crystal has a couple of cracks”

Dial and World Time Display

The watch features a silvered dial with time and world time functions. The dial is signed 'HERMÈS PARIS' at 12 o'clock and 'SWISS MADE' at 6 o'clock.

The display includes an outer rotating ring listing global cities such as London-Paris, Tokio, Sydney, and New York, alongside an inner 24-hour scale featuring a dark half representing night hours and a light half for daytime.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: Silvered”
  • “FUNCTION: Time, world time”
  • “Dial is signed 'HERMÈS PARIS' at 12 o'clock and 'SWISS MADE' at 6 o'clock”
  • “Outer rotating ring lists global cities such as London-Paris, Tokio, Sydney, and New York”
  • “Inner 24-hour scale features a dark half representing night hours and a light half for daytime”

Movement and Listing Details

The catalog records a manual-winding movement with 17 jewels signed by Luxor. The condition report noted the movement was ticking at the time of cataloguing, though it was not tested for accuracy, and the listing advises that a service is recommended.

No box or papers were provided with the lot. Reference numbers, serial markings, and production dates are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement signed Luxor, manual-winding, 17 jewels”
  • “Ticking at the time of cataloguing. However, we do not test the movement for accuracy. A service is recommended.”
  • “BOX: None”
  • “PAPERS: None”

Open research questions

  • What specific caliber from Luxor is fitted inside the case?
  • Are case maker marks or reference numbers stamped on the inside case back?
  • What is the estimated period of manufacture based on the city orthography (such as 'Tokio') and dial layout?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Hermès Gilt Brass World Time Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case materialGilt brass“CASE MATERIAL: Gilt brass”
Diameter52 mm“DIAMETER: 52 mm.”
DialSilvered“DIAL: Silvered”
Movement signature and jewelsSigned Luxor, manual-winding, 17 jewels“Movement signed Luxor, manual-winding, 17 jewels”
FunctionTime, world time“FUNCTION: Time, world time”
BoxNone“BOX: None”
PapersNone“PAPERS: None”
Case and crystal condition reported by sellerSome surface scratches, crystal has a couple of cracks“Some surface scratches, the crystal has a couple of cracks”

Visible details

  • Outer rotating ring lists global cities such as London-Paris, Tokio, Sydney, and New York
  • Inner 24-hour scale features a dark half representing night hours and a light half for daytime
  • Dial is signed 'HERMÈS PARIS' at 12 o'clock and 'SWISS MADE' at 6 o'clock
  • Bow-shaped top loop surrounds a fluted winding crown at the 12 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • No year of manufacture is provided in the listing text
  • Movement and case back interior are not shown in the image

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

Consulted source

HERMES, WORLDTIME, A FINE GILT BRASS WORLD TIME POCKET WATCH, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record c8f4b28f4f

Terms in this record

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