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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Form watch

Mandolin form watch

Partially verified

The object measures 64 x 31 mm and features a two-part case. The ribbed back displays white enamel panels with gold paillons alongside engraved gold foliage and musical trophies on a scarlet guilloche champleve ground, finished with black borders. The sound board is decorated with enamel painted en camaieu, depicting figures within a landscape. A black enamelled keyboard is present, noted as a repair, while the head is pale blue with wire strings and gold keys. The watch is suspended by a chain. The dial is white enamel with Arabic numerals and a winding aperture at 2 o'clock, complemented by gilt Louis XVI hands. The movement is a gilt full-plate with a fusee, verge escapement, and a plain brass 3-arm balance.

The obverse of the mandolin form watch showing the enamel dial, the decorative strings, and the pierced sound hole cover.
The obverse of the mandolin form watch showing the enamel dial, the decorative strings, and the pierced sound hole cover. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Form watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
196
Source-reported date
circa 1830
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 and Exterior Decoration

The case is constructed in two parts and sculpted in the form of a mandolin. The ribbed back is ornamented with a combination of white enamel panels accented by gold paillons. This is complemented by sections featuring engraved gold foliage and musical trophies set against a scarlet guilloche champleve ground, framed by black borders.

The sound board is finished with enamel painting en camaieu, depicting figures in a landscape setting. The mandolin's head is pale blue, incorporating gold keys and wire strings. A chain is provided for suspension. The keyboard section is composed of black enamel, which is identified as an old, executed repair.

Evidence for this section
  • “ribbed back decorated with panels of white enamel with gold paillons and sections of engraved gold musical trophies and foliage on scarlet guilloche champleve ground”
  • “sound board painted en camaieu with figures in a landscape”
  • “black enamelled key board (old well executed repair)”
  • “pale blue head with gold keys and wire strings”

Dial and Hands

The watch features a white enamel dial featuring Arabic numerals to indicate the time.

The time is displayed via gilt Louis XVI hands. The overall aesthetic integration follows the mandolin theme, with the dial functioning as the functional center of the instrument's sound board area.

Evidence for this section
  • “D. White enamel, Arabic numerals, winding aperture at 2 o'clock.”
  • “GiIt Louis XVI hands.”

Movement and Configuration

The internal mechanism is a gilt full-plate movement utilizing a fusee and chain to power a verge escapement. The balance is a plain brass 3-arm type with a flat spring and regulator.

A notable feature is the mounting of the movement within the case. It is positioned upside down, an adjustment assumed to be made to facilitate easier viewing of the dial when the object is worn as a pendant. A Continental cock is visible through the instrument's sound hole. The movement is fitted inside the case in an inverted orientation.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. GiIt full plate, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass 3-arm balance”
  • “Continental cock (the movement now fitted in up-side down position, presumably for easier viewing of the dial when worn as a pendant)”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific nature and history of the repair to the black enamelled keyboard?
  • Does the movement possess any maker's marks or signatures hidden under the dial or on the plates that were not identified by the cataloguer?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Mandolin form watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAnonymous“Anonymous, probably Swiss”
Datecirca 1830“circa 1830.”
Dimensions64 x 31 mm“Dims. 64 x 31 mm.”
Case decorationEnamel and gold“ribbed back decorated with panels of white enamel with gold paillons and sections of engraved gold musical trophies”
EscapementVerge“verge escapement”
DialWhite enamel“D. White enamel, Arabic numerals, winding aperture at 2 o'clock.”
Movement typeFull plate with fusee“M. GiIt full plate, fusee with chain”

Visible details

  • The watch features a winding aperture located at the 2 o'clock position on the enamel dial.
  • The exterior includes decorative wire strings attached to the pale blue head of the mandolin.
  • A decorative pierced grill covers the sound hole of the instrument.

Research qualifications

  • The keyboard section is reported as an old, executed repair.
  • The maker remains anonymous, with the Swiss origin suggested rather than confirmed.
  • The orientation of the movement is inverted from standard, which is attributed to utility for the wearer.

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

Consulted source

Anonymous, probably Swiss, circa 1830. Fine gold and enamel form watch designed as a mandolin.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record d1331fd91f

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

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