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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pendant watch

Lacloche Frères Jewelled Pendant Watch

Partially verified

This pendant watch by Lacloche Frères, dated circa 1930, features a square watch case suspended from a matching brooch by a braided silk cord. The watch and brooch display a decorative scheme characterized by black-backed chalcedony panels, red enamel side sections, and central panels set with sapphires, jadeite, and both brilliant-cut and rose-cut diamonds. The assembly incorporates precious metals including gold and platinum. A pearl is positioned at the base of the watch unit, while a large diamond is set above the cord attachment. The watch dial features stylized numerals and is signed by Lacloche Frères. This piece reflects the aesthetic influence of Oriental art and lacquerware prevalent in high-end jewellery during the 1920s and 1930s. The object is currently held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Lacloche Frères watch and brooch ensemble featuring sapphire, jadeite, and diamond floral inlays.
Lacloche Frères watch and brooch ensemble featuring sapphire, jadeite, and diamond floral inlays. — Victoria and Albert Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
collections.vam.ac.uk
Category
Pocket watch · Pendant watch
Maker / attribution
Lacloche Frères
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
M.170-2007
Source-reported date
1920s
Source-reported place
Paris

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

Construction and Materials

The pendant watch is constructed from gold and platinum, featuring an intricate arrangement of precious and semi-precious materials. The design centers on a square watch case that is paired with a matching brooch. Both the watch back and the brooch are surfaced with panels of black-backed chalcedony and embellished with red enamel sections.

The decorative motif includes central panels containing overlapping sapphire and jadeite flowers, arranged against a diamond background. Brilliant-cut and rose-cut diamonds are utilized throughout the piece, with a single large diamond mounted above the silk cord and a pearl positioned at the base of the watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “The watch back and brooch both have a central panel of two overlapping sapphire and jadeite flowers against a diamond background, surrounded by a black frame with red side panels.”
  • “The watch unit has a single large diamond above and a single pearl below.”

Design and Aesthetic

The object draws visual references from Oriental lacquerware and textile designs, which were integrated into luxury jewellery during the 1930s. The juxtaposition of bold red and black contrasts provides the primary aesthetic framework for the piece, divided by narrow bands of set diamonds that define the boundaries of the colour panels.

The watch is suspended from a matching brooch by a short length of braided silk cord, which is itself anchored by a diamond setting. The formal symmetry of the brooch and the watch creates a cohesive ensemble, consistent with the production of Lacloche Frères on the rue de la Paix in Paris.

Evidence for this section
  • “The bold juxtapositioning of the red and the black in this watch shows the influence of Oriental lacquer on jewellery during the 1920s and '30s.”
  • “The floating stylized flowers may also be inspired by Oriental art - in particular textile designs.”

Maker and Provenance

Lacloche Frères was a jeweller established in Madrid in 1875, later expanding with branches in Biarritz, Saint-Sébastien, and London. The firm became recognized for its output during the early 20th century, operating from its base on the rue de la Paix.

This specific object, identified as accession number M.170-2007, was provided to the Victoria and Albert Museum by the American Friends of the V&A, supported by the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein. It remains documented within the museum’s jewellery collection as a representative work from the firm's period of activity in the 1930s.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lacloche Frères were amongst the profusion of jewellers on the rue de la Paix in Paris.”
  • “Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific movement calibre used within the Lacloche Frères case?
  • Was the red material on the side panels original to the 1930 production or a later alteration?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lacloche Frères Jewelled Pendant Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLacloche Frères“Maker: Lacloche Frères (maker)”
Dateca. 1930“Date: ca. 1930”
MaterialsGold, platinum, enamel, diamonds, sapphires, jadeite, chalcedony, pearl, silk“Materials and techniques: Gold, platinum, enamel, brilliant- and rose-cut diamonds, sapphires, jadeite, black-backed chalcedony, pearl and silk”
Place of originParis“Place of origin: Paris (made)”
Accession numberM.170-2007“Accession number: M.170-2007”
Dimensions3.5 cm x 2.4 cm x 0.5 cm“Length: 3.5 cm; Width: 2.4 cm; Depth: .5 cm”

Visible details

  • Watch and brooch decorated with matching sapphire and jadeite floral patterns
  • Braided black silk cord connecting the watch to the brooch
  • Dial signed by Lacloche Frères with Arabic numerals
  • Pearl pendant at the base of the watch case

Research qualifications

  • Movement mechanism and calibre details are not provided in the source
  • Specific composition of the 'red side panels' (enamel or stone) is referred to only as 'enamel' in the text but is not explicitly confirmed for the side panels

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

Consulted source

Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record f18f6acfda

Terms in this record

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

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