Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch

L'Alouette Art Nouveau Silver Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This L'Alouette pocket watch, produced circa 1890, is a silver, keyless timepiece. The watch features a four-body case with decorative elements, including a continuous leaf design on the bezel and band. The back cover is decorated in relief with an image of a Japanese lady positioned before a large fan and foliage, mirroring the border design of the bezel. The dial is white enamel with radial Roman numerals, gold dots, outer minute divisions, and Arabic five-minute numerals, accompanied by a subsidiary seconds register and fancy gilt hands. Internally, the watch is powered by a 17 ½ ligne, matte-gilt movement, which features a cylinder escapement, a plain three-arm balance, a blued steel flat balance spring, and an index regulator. The movement is signed L’Alouette. The watch measures 51 mm in diameter.

Exterior view of the silver case back, showing the Japanese lady relief decoration and the decorative bezel and bow.
Exterior view of the silver case back, showing the Japanese lady relief decoration and the decorative bezel and bow. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Keyless pocket watch
Maker / attribution
L'Alouette
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
490
Source-reported date
circa 1890
Source-reported place
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 Design and Decoration

The watch is housed in a four-body silver case characterized by its decorative relief work. The bezel and case band feature a continuous leaf design, which extends to the border of the case back. This back cover displays a prominent relief motif of a Japanese lady, shown in profile in front of a large fan, surrounded by foliage detail.

The construction follows a keyless design with a bow and crown, integrating the decorative aesthetic with the functionality of the timekeeping instrument. The overall dimensions of the piece are recorded as 51 mm in diameter, consistent with standard pocket watch sizes of the era.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, the bezel and band decorated with a continuous leaf design”
  • “back cover decorated in relief with a Japanese lady in front of a large fan and foliage, border to match the bezel.”

Dial and Hands

The dial is constructed from white enamel, providing a high-contrast background for the time display. The dial features radial Roman numerals for the hours, punctuated by gold dots. Peripheral markings include outer minute divisions and Arabic numerals for five-minute intervals.

A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned on the main dial face. The time is indicated by a pair of fancy gilt hands, which complement the decorative nature of the exterior case work.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel with radial Roman numerals and gold dots, outer minute divisions and Arabic five-minute numerals, subsidiary seconds. Fancy gilt hands.”

Movement and Condition

The movement is a 17 ½ ligne, matte-gilt calibre. It is constructed with a cylinder escapement, a common mechanism for watches of this period, and a plain three-arm balance. Regulation is managed via an index regulator, paired with a blued steel flat balance spring. The movement is signed L’Alouette.

Regarding the reported condition, the auction house grades the case and movement as '3 Good' and the dial as '2-01 Very good'.

Evidence for this section
  • “17 ½ ???, matte gilt, cylinder escapement, plain three-arm balance, blued steel fl at balance spring, index regulator. Movement signed L?Alouette.”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”
  • “HANDS Original”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific relationship between the L'Alouette brand and the manufacturer of the decorative Art Nouveau silver cases?
  • Are there archival records linking this 'Japanese Lady' design series to a specific Swiss case-making workshop from the 1890s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for L'Alouette Art Nouveau Silver Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerL'Alouette“Movement signed L?Alouette.”
Datecirca 1890“Made circa 1890.”
CountrySwiss“Swiss, 'L'Alouette'.”
MaterialSilver“Fine, Art Nouveau, silver, keyless pocket watch.”
Diameter51 mm“Diam. 51 mm.”
Movement TypeCylinder escapement“matte gilt, cylinder escapement”
Dial detailsWhite enamel with Roman numerals“White enamel with radial Roman numerals and gold dots”

Visible details

  • Relief decoration on the case back depicting a lady holding a fan
  • Decorative foliage motifs on the case bezel and bow
  • White enamel dial with Roman numeral hour markers
  • Gilt hands featuring intricate decorative cutouts

Research qualifications

  • The auction description suggests an overhaul is recommended, but provides no further mechanical details
  • The attribution to the maker L'Alouette relies solely on the movement signature as reported by the auction house

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

Consulted source

L'ALOUETTE ART NOUVEAU JAPANESE LADY Swiss, 'L'Alouette'. Made circa 1890. Fine, Art Nouveau, silver, keyless pocket watch. To be sold without reserve

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record df2d87db34

Terms in this record

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

Other keyless pocket watch records