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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Stopwatch

Jeanneret Frères Excelsior Lever silver pocket stopwatch

Partially verified

This antique silver pocket stopwatch is attributed by the seller to Jeanneret Frères and dated to the 1900–1920 period. The 52 mm Continental .935 silver case houses a stem-winding movement that the seller reports carries an 1891 patent number granted to Jeanneret Frères, along with a J-shaped bridge associated with Excelsior Park. The white dial is marked 'Excelsior Lever Non-Magnetic' and 'SWISS MADE', featuring blued steel hands, an outer 60-second track graduated in fifths of a second with red '60', and a 30-minute subsidiary register below the 12 o'clock position.

Dial and case front of the Jeanneret Frères Excelsior Lever silver pocket stopwatch
Dial and case front of the Jeanneret Frères Excelsior Lever silver pocket stopwatch — The Vintage Wrist Watch Company / Sellingantiques. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sellingantiques.co.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Stopwatch
Maker / attribution
Jeanneret Frères
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
SA723582
Source-reported date
1900 - 1920
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

Identity and Attribution

This pocket stopwatch is attributed by the seller to Jeanneret Frères. The movement is reported to contain a J-shaped bridge and carries an 1891 patent number in the name of Jeanneret Frères.

The item is dated to the 1900–1920 period by the seller. The dial is signed 'Excelsior Lever' and marked 'SWISS MADE'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silver Excelsior Lever stopwatch by Jeanneret Freres.”
  • “The movement carries the brevet (or patent) number for an 1891 patent in the name of Jeanneret Freres.”
  • “Indeed the movement has a bridge in the shape of J which later went on to become a trademark for the highly regarded Excelsior Park.”
  • “The Vintage Wrist Watch Company has dated this piece to the 1900s.”

Case and Movement

The stopwatch features a 52 mm diameter case made of .935 grade Continental silver. It is equipped with a stem-winding movement.

The case exhibits some unevenness to the back. Hallmarks for the .935 silver are reported by the seller to be present inside the case back.

Evidence for this section
  • “The stopwatch measures 52mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
  • “The watch has a stem-winding movement which is working nicely.”
  • “Continental silver marks inside the case back for 935 silver”
  • “The case is in good condition with just a little unevenness to the back.”

Dial and Visual Features

The white dial includes a 30-minute recording subsidiary register. The outer chapter ring is calibrated for seconds with fifth-of-a-second divisions and features a red numeral '60'.

The timepiece uses blued steel hands. The crystal glass lens displays minor nibbling along the bevelled edge.

Evidence for this section
  • “The signed dial is in good condition with blued steel hands and a 30 minute recording subsidiary dial.”
  • “Outer seconds chapter ring graduated to 60 with fifth-of-a-second divisions and red numeral '60'.”
  • “The stopwatch has a glass lens.”
  • “The main face is in good condition while there is some nibbling to the bevelled edge.”

Open research questions

  • Does the 1891 patent number correspond to the claimed patent holder in Swiss patent records?
  • Is there documented evidence of the 'J' bridge as a specific hallmark for Jeanneret Frères?
  • Can the usage of .935 silver be contextually corroborated for stopwatches of this specific era and region?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jeanneret Frères Excelsior Lever silver pocket stopwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker attributionJeanneret Frères“Silver Excelsior Lever stopwatch by Jeanneret Freres.”
Case material.935 silver“Continental silver marks inside the case back for 935 silver”
Diameter52 mm“The stopwatch measures 52mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop.”
Patent association1891 patent“The movement carries the brevet (or patent) number for an 1891 patent in the name of Jeanneret Freres.”
Register30-minute counter“blued steel hands and a 30 minute recording subsidiary dial.”

Visible details

  • White dial inscribed in script 'Excelsior Lever Non-Magnetic' above 6 o'clock and marked 'SWISS MADE' at the bottom perimeter.
  • Outer seconds chapter ring graduated to 60 with fifth-of-a-second divisions and red numeral '60'.
  • Centrally mounted blued steel chronograph seconds hand with an extended counterpoise.
  • Subsidiary dial beneath 12 o'clock calibrated for 30 elapsed minutes with Arabic numerals.
  • Fluted onion-form winding crown and circular bow mounted above the case pendant.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement marks, patent inscriptions, and case hallmarking are source-reported and not visible in the provided image.
  • Dealer notes minor nibbling along the bevelled edge of the crystal and slight unevenness to the case back.

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

Consulted source

Sold: Rare Antique Silver Excelsior Lever Stopwatch 1900 - 1920 | Sellingantiques

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record da890566ff

Terms in this record

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

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