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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch

Lecoultre & Co. 18K Gold Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch is attributed by the dealer to Lecoultre et Cie and dated to the late 19th century. The dealer states the case is crafted in 18-karat gold with a finely chiseled rear cover, having a total weight of 80 grams. The watch features an unsigned off-white dial displaying elongated black Arabic numerals, an outer minute scale, and a sunken subsidiary seconds register at 6 o'clock. The main time is shown by yellow-toned hands, while the seconds hand is blued steel.

Dial view of the open-face pocket watch showing elongated Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds subdial
Dial view of the open-face pocket watch showing elongated Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds subdial — S.P. Antiquités / Proantic. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.proantic.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Lecoultre & Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
1421050
Source-reported date
late 19th century
Source-reported place
Not established

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

Dial and Visible Display

The watch presents an open-face configuration with an off-white dial that is unsigned in the provided photograph. Hour positions are marked with elongated, stylized Arabic numerals accompanied by an outer minute track and a subsidiary seconds subdial at 6 o'clock displaying Arabic markers at ten-second intervals.

The main hours and minutes are shown with yellow-tone hands—described by the dealer as gold hands—paired with a dark or blued steel subsidiary seconds hand.

Evidence for this section
  • “Arabic numerals.”
  • “Gold hands.”
  • “Dial is unsigned without visible maker branding.”
  • “Subsidiary seconds subdial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals.”

Case Configuration and Reported Details

The case is constructed in an open-face format featuring a winding stem, fluted crown, and oval bow at the 12 o'clock position. A small push-piece or pin-set mechanism is visible along the outer rim near the 11 o'clock marker.

The listing describes the watch as being 18K gold with a total weight of 80g and a finely chiseled back, though the rear decoration is not displayed in the single available photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “Open-face pocket watch configuration with a stem, fluted crown, and oval bow at 12 o'clock.”
  • “Small push-piece or pin-set mechanism visible along the case rim near the 11 o'clock position.”
  • “18K gold.”
  • “Total weight: 80g.”
  • “Finely chiseled back.”

Attribution and Source Limitations

The listing attributes the watch to Lecoultre et Cie and dates it to the late 19th century. However, no maker signatures or stamps are visible on the dial, and movement or inner case marks are not recorded in this source.

Statements regarding mechanical performance, such as working order, originate entirely from the dealer description and cannot be verified from the visible front view alone.

Evidence for this section
  • “Lecoultre et Cie pocket watch”
  • “late 19th century.”
  • “Perfect working order.”

Open research questions

  • Does the movement beneath the case back or cuvette bear genuine LeCoultre & Co. signatures or caliber markings?
  • What hallmarks or purity marks are stamped on the interior of the case to substantiate the 18K gold claim?
  • What engraving or chiseled motif is present on the rear cover?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Lecoultre & Co. 18K Gold Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker attributionLecoultre et Cie“Lecoultre et Cie pocket watch”
Datelate 19th century“late 19th century”
Total weight80g“Total weight: 80g.”
Material18K gold“18K gold.”
Back decorationFinely chiseled back“Finely chiseled back.”
Dealer reported operating statusPerfect working order“Perfect working order.”
Dealer reported hands materialGold hands“Gold hands.”

Visible details

  • Open-face pocket watch configuration with a stem, fluted crown, and oval bow at 12 o'clock.
  • Small push-piece or pin-set mechanism visible along the case rim near the 11 o'clock position.
  • Off-white dial displaying stylized, elongated Arabic hour numerals and a perimeter minute track.
  • Subsidiary seconds subdial positioned at 6 o'clock with Arabic ten-second numerals.
  • Dial is unsigned without visible maker branding.
  • Yellow-tone hour and minute hands paired with a dark or blued steel subsidiary seconds hand.

Research qualifications

  • The maker attribution to Lecoultre et Cie is dealer-asserted; no movement signatures or interior case marks are visible in the provided photograph.
  • The 18K gold purity and working condition claims originate solely from the seller without visible hallmarks.
  • The finely chiseled case back described by the seller is not visible in the primary dial photograph.

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

Consulted source

Proantic: Lecoultre & Co. Pocket Watch

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 168bd87ed7

Terms in this record

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

Other open-face pocket watch records