Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunting-cased, keyless pendant watch

LeCoultre & Cie Hunting-Cased Pendant Watch

Partially verified

This 18K gold, keyless hunting-cased pendant watch, identified as lot 169, was produced by LeCoultre & Cie circa 1900. Measuring 25 mm in diameter, the watch features a four-body 'bassine' case adorned with engraved gold foliage and polychrome champlevé enamel flowers set against a red ground. The white enamel dial is accented with black Arabic numerals and gold paillon minute divisions, complemented by gilt Louis XV hands. The movement is a 19 mm (9''') nickeled, matte gilt caliber with 8 jewels and a cylinder escapement, utilizing a gilt balance with a blued steel flat balance spring and an index regulator. The movement is signed by LeCoultre & Cie, and the case carries a French 18K gold hallmark along with a maker's mark 'SJGs' within a garter. The auction description notes the presence of hairlines on the dial and reports the condition as fair for the dial and good for the movement.

Front view of the LeCoultre & Cie 18K gold, champlevé enamel hunting-cased pendant watch.
Front view of the LeCoultre & Cie 18K gold, champlevé enamel hunting-cased pendant watch. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Hunting-cased, keyless pendant watch
Maker / attribution
LeCoultre & Cie
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
169
Source-reported date
circa 1900
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
50937

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 and Dial

The watch is housed in a four-body 'bassine' case constructed of 18K gold. The exterior surfaces are finished with engraved gold foliage patterns, integrated with polychrome champlevé enamel floral motifs on a saturated red ground. A hinged gold cuvette protects the internal movement.

The dial is white enamel, featuring black Arabic numerals and an outer track of gold paillon minute dot divisions. Time is indicated by a pair of gilt Louis XV style hands. The auction description reports the dial condition as fair, noting the presence of hairlines.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, ?bassine?, entirely decorated with engraved gold foliage and polychrome champlevé enamel flowers on a red ground.”
  • “White enamel, black Arabic numerals, outer gold paillon minute dot divisions.”
  • “Dial: 4-71-01 Fair ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairlines”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a 19 mm (9''') caliber, finished in nickeled and matte gilt. It is equipped with an 8-jewel cylinder escapement. The oscillator consists of a gilt balance fitted with a blued steel flat balance spring, regulated by a standard index regulator.

The auction description specifies that the movement is signed by LeCoultre & Cie. The condition of the movement is assessed as good, though the cataloger recommends an overhaul.

Evidence for this section
  • “19 mm (9 '''), nickeled, matte gilt, 8 jewels, cylinder escapement, gilt balance with blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator.”
  • “Movement signed by LeCoultre & Cie.”
  • “Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Signatures and Hallmarks

The movement is signed by LeCoultre & Cie. The case displays specific administrative markings, including a French 18K gold hallmark.

Additionally, the case is stamped with a maker's mark consisting of the letters 'SJGs' enclosed within a garter. These marks confirm the French attribution and the gold content as reported in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement signed by LeCoultre & Cie.”
  • “Case stamped with French 18K gold mark and maker?s mark ?SJGs?, within a garter.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical significance of the 'SJGs' maker's mark within a garter?
  • Does the 'bassine' case construction indicate a specific French movement casing firm of the period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for LeCoultre & Cie Hunting-Cased Pendant Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLeCoultre & Cie“LeCoultre & Cie”
OriginFrench“French”
Serial Number50937“No. 50937”
Case Material18K Gold“18K gold”
Movement size19 mm“19 mm (9 ''')”
EscapementCylinder“cylinder escapement”
Dimensions25 mm“Diam. 25 mm”
Jewel count8 jewels“8 jewels”

Visible details

  • Red champlevé enamel floral decoration
  • Hinged gold cuvette
  • Louis XV style hands
  • Keyless winding pendant

Research qualifications

  • Condition report notes dial hairlines
  • Overhaul recommended for movement

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

Consulted source

LeCoultre & Cie LeCoultre & Cie, French, No. 50937. Made circa 1900. Fine, 18K gold and champlevé enamel, hunting-cased, keyless pendant watch. To be sold without reserve

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 8590d7e2dd

Terms in this record

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