Pocket watch · Open-face watch

J. F. Bautte & Co. 18 Carat Gold Slim Open Face Pocket Watch

Partially verified

An 18 carat gold slim open face pocket watch catalogued as by J. F. Bautte & Co., numbered 51979 and dated circa 1830. The auction record details a cylinder bar movement with six jewels and a 40mm case diameter. According to the source catalogue, the watch features a silvered sun ray dial with Roman numerals and gold Breguet hands, as well as an engine-turned back cover. The supplied image shows the gilt cylinder bar movement with blued steel regulator and screws, along with an open gold inner case cuvette featuring winding and setting apertures.

Movement view of the J. F. Bautte & Co. pocket watch with cuvette open — Dreweatts. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: auctions.dreweatts.com
Category: Pocket watch · Open-face watch
Form: Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution: J. F. Bautte & Co.
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 161
Source-reported date: circa 1830
Source-reported place: Not established
Source-reported serial: 51979

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

Mechanical Construction

The watch is catalogued as having a cylinder bar movement with six jewels. Observations from the provided image show a gilt cylinder bar movement featuring multiple distinct bridges and blued steel screws.

The movement includes a blued steel balance assembly with an index regulator. Access to the movement is provided by an open hinged gold inner cuvette, which features two apertures for key-winding and setting.

Evidence for this section

“cylinder bar movement, 6 jewels”
“Gilt cylinder bar movement with multiple distinct bridges and blued screws”
“Blued steel balance assembly index regulator”
“Open hinged gold inner cuvette with two key-winding/setting holes”

Dial and Exterior Features

According to the source documentation, the watch features a silvered sun ray dial with Roman numerals and gold Breguet hands. The exterior back cover is described as having engine-turned decoration.

These aesthetic details are reported by the auction catalogue but are not visible in the provided photographic evidence.

Evidence for this section

“silvered sun ray dial, Roman numerals”
“gold Breguet hands”
“the back cover with engine turned decoration”

Auction Documentation and Limitations

The auctioneer acts as an agent for the seller and relies on information provided by them. The catalogue explicitly notes that mechanical objects are not guaranteed to be in working order.

The auctioneer states that they are unable to carry out a detailed examination to ascertain the internal condition of such mechanical objects.

Evidence for this section

“We are dependent on information provided by the seller”
“mechanical objects of any age are not guaranteed to be in working order.”
“we are normally unable to carry out a detailed or any examination of lots in order to ascertain their condition”

Open research questions

Are there records or established production sequences for J. F. Bautte & Co. that correspond to serial number 51979?
What specific service history or maintenance marks are present on the movement or the interior of the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for J. F. Bautte & Co. 18 Carat Gold Slim Open Face Pocket Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Case material	18 carat gold	“18 carat gold slim open face pocket watch”
Serial number	51979	“no. 51979”
Date	circa 1830	“circa 1830”
Movement type	Cylinder bar movement	“cylinder bar movement”
Jewel count	6 jewels	“6 jewels”
Case diameter	40mm	“diameter 40mm”
Dial description	Silvered sun ray dial with Roman numerals	“silvered sun ray dial, Roman numerals”
Hands	Gold Breguet hands	“gold Breguet hands”

Visible details

Gilt cylinder bar movement with multiple distinct bridges and blued screws
Blued steel balance assembly index regulator
Open hinged gold inner cuvette with two key-winding/setting holes
Pendant and bow located adjacent to the winding assembly

Research qualifications

Dial, hands, and engine-turned exterior back cover are reported by the auction catalogue but not visible in the provided photograph
Working order and timekeeping are not stated in the auction description

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