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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Desk / paperweight clock

Horloge avec vue sur le lac Léman

Partially verified

This circular brass clock, catalogued around 1890, functions as a paperweight or wall-hanging timepiece via a reported sliding dovetail mount. It features an enamel dial with a white chapter ring, Roman numerals, and blued steel hands enclosing a central monochrome scene depicting Lake Geneva with its bridge, shoreline buildings, and background mountains. The seller states the piece measures 71 mm in diameter and houses a Swiss key-wound cylinder movement with a suspended barrel, a three-arm gilt metal balance, and a blued steel hairspring under thick bevelled glass, signed 'D J Depose' and linked to Paris.

Dial view of the circular brass desk clock showing Roman numerals and a central scene of Geneva
Dial view of the circular brass desk clock showing Roman numerals and a central scene of Geneva — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Clock · Desk / paperweight clock
Maker / attribution
D J Depose
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Vers 1890
Country
France

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

Object Description and Mounting

This circular desk timepiece, catalogued as dating to approximately 1890, is identified by the source as both a paperweight and a wall-hanging clock. It is housed in a heavy brass casing measuring 71 mm in diameter and protected by thick bevelled glass.

The casing features a reported sliding dovetail mount on the reverse to facilitate wall suspension. The bezel is described as having a concentric bead-and-flute border.

Evidence for this section
  • “L'horloge est logée dans un lourd boîtier circulaire en laiton”
  • “Diamètre : 71 mm”
  • “possède également un support à queue d'aronde coulissant pour une suspension murale”
  • “Le boîtier est complété par un verre plat biseauté très épais”

Dial and Aesthetic Elements

The dial consists of a white enamel chapter ring with black Roman numerals. The central portion of the dial displays a monochrome scene depicting Lake Geneva, including a bridge, shoreline buildings, and background mountains.

The time is indicated by blued steel hands. The central scenic element is described as a transfer or photographic representation.

Evidence for this section
  • “cadran en émail, représentant le pont et les bâtiments de la rive opposée avec des montagnes en arrière-plan”
  • “Le cadran est en émail blanc avec des chiffres romains et des aiguilles en acier bleui”

Mechanical Movement

The timepiece contains a key-wound cylinder movement. Technical features noted in the source include a suspended barrel, a three-arm gilt metal balance, a blued steel hairspring, and a coq simple (balance cock) fitted with a blued steel regulator. The cylinder and escape wheel are composed of polished steel.

The movement is signed 'D J Depose'. The source states the place of origin is Paris, while simultaneously identifying the movement as Swiss horological work.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cette horloge suisse à cylindre de la fin du XIXe siècle”
  • “mouvement à barillet à remontage par clé avec un barillet suspendu”
  • “Signé D J Depose”
  • “Lieu d'origine : Paris”

Open research questions

  • Does 'D J Depose' refer to a specific maker, or is it a variation of the French term 'Déposé' indicating a registered design?
  • How does the stated Paris origin relate to the technical designation of the movement as Swiss-made?
  • Are there marks visible on the case back or movement that are not addressed in the seller's current report?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Horloge avec vue sur le lac Léman
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker's markD J Depose“Signé D J Depose”
Place of originParis“Lieu d'origine : Paris”
Date of manufactureVers 1890“Date de fabrication : Vers 1890”
Diameter71 mm“Diamètre : 71 mm”
Movement typeKey-wound cylinder movement“Cette horloge suisse à cylindre de la fin du XIXe siècle”
Case materialBrass“L'horloge est logée dans un lourd boîtier circulaire en laiton”

Visible details

  • Circular brass bezel decorated with a concentric bead-and-flute border
  • Central monochrome photographic or transfer scenic view of a bridge over water with distant mountains, labeled 'Genève' at the bottom
  • White enamel chapter ring with black Roman numerals and minute track markers
  • Blued steel hands, with a spade or pierced tip visible on the hour hand

Research qualifications

  • Movement, sliding dovetail mount, and case back are not visible in the provided image; details are known only from source reports
  • Source notes Paris as origin while simultaneously attributing the craftsmanship and movement to Swiss horology

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

Consulted source

Horloge avec vue sur le lac Léman - Vers 1890 » Watch Museum : Découvrez l'univers des montres de poche anciennes et vintage

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 324162f798

Terms in this record

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