Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pendant pocket watch

Montre de poche française en or jaune 18 carats et émail, vers 1900

Partially verified

This early 20th-century French pocket watch is executed in 18k yellow gold and decorated with floral and arabesque border engravings. The reverse showcases an enameled female portrait in right profile, detailed with applied gold ornament and set with a row of rose-cut diamonds in the headdress. The source describes a white dial featuring gold hands alongside black enamel Roman numerals bordered in gold. According to the seller, the manual-wind mechanical movement carries the internal serial number 202992, and the case bears a French horse head hallmark.

Back view of the 18k yellow gold case showing the enameled female portrait set with rose-cut diamonds
Back view of the 18k yellow gold case showing the enameled female portrait set with rose-cut diamonds — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Pendant pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Vers 1900
Country
France
Source-reported serial
202992

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 Decoration and Visual Characteristics

Visual inspection shows an 18k yellow gold circular case oriented with a winding crown and suspension pendant bow at the 12 o'clock position, adjacent to a small pin push-piece. The outer perimeter of the reverse is chased with an engraved floral and foliate border.

The center of the case back displays an enameled right-facing portrait of a woman. The female figure is embellished with applied gold ornament, and her headdress and attire incorporate translucent accents alongside a curved row of small rose-cut diamonds.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case back features an enameled right-facing female profile surrounded by engraved gold and applied decoration”
  • “Headdress and attire are set with rose-cut diamonds and translucent accents”
  • “Engraved floral and foliate border encircles the outer edge of the yellow gold case back”
  • “Crown and pendant bow attached at 12 o'clock position with a small pin push-piece visible adjacent”

Source-Reported Dial, Movement, and Markings

The dial and movement are not depicted in the provided photograph. According to the seller's description, the dial features gilded hands and black enamel Roman numerals bordered in gold. In one descriptive summary, the source also claims that 'the back is white', though the accompanying image shows a fully decorated portrait on the case back.

The vendor states that the manual-wind movement bears the internal number 202992 and that the case carries a French horse head hallmark. Additionally, the seller reports that the watch has been checked, serviced, and functions mechanically.

Evidence for this section
  • “Le cadran est un mélange harmonieux d'aiguilles dorées et de chiffres romains en émail noir bordés d'or”
  • “Le dos est blanc, tandis que les aiguilles sont dorées et les chiffres romains sont en émail noir bordé d'or”
  • “Cette merveille mécanique fonctionne par remontage manuel et porte le numéro unique 202992 à l'intérieur”
  • “arbore un poinçon distinctif en forme de tête de cheval qui atteste de son authenticité”
  • “la montre reste en excellent état de marche, ayant été minutieusement vérifiée et révisée”

Condition and Documented Limitations

The source classifies the piece's condition as 'Correct' (fair) and mentions a slight enamel defect or loss on the back cover. Because photographic documentation is limited strictly to the case back, internal mechanical components, hallmarks, and dial condition cannot be independently corroborated.

The specific maker or workshop responsible for the casing and caliber is not recorded in the source text. Dates around 1900 and Belle Époque stylistic classifications reflect vendor catalog attributions.

Evidence for this section
  • “État : Correct”
  • “Malgré un léger défaut d'émail au dos”
  • “Malgré un petit manque d'émail au dos”
  • “Date de fabrication : Vers 1900”
  • “Style : Belle Époque”

Open research questions

  • What specific escapement and caliber configuration are present under the unphotographed dial and cuvette?
  • Where is the French horse head hallmark located on the case, and does it include a regional assay office differential?
  • What explains the vendor's contradictory statement that 'le dos est blanc' when the photograph displays a polychrome enameled portrait?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Montre de poche française en or jaune 18 carats et émail, vers 1900
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18k yellow gold and enamel“Matériau du boîtier : Or, Or 18 carats, Or jaune, Émail”
StonesRose-cut diamonds“Pierre : Diamant Taille de pierre : Taille rose”
MovementManual wind“Mouvement : Remontage manuel”
Serial Number202992“porte le numéro 202992 à l'intérieur”
HallmarkHorse head“arbore un poinçon en forme de tête de cheval”
DimensionsApprox. 3.9 cm high, 2.7 cm wide, 9.3 mm thick“Mesurant environ 3,9 cm de hauteur, 2,7 cm de largeur et 9,3 mm d'épaisseur”
WeightApproximately 18.9 g“pesant environ 18,9 g”
Source-Reported DimensionsApproximately 3.9 cm high, 2.7 cm wide, 9.3 mm thick“Mesurant environ 3,9 cm de hauteur, 2,7 cm de largeur et 9,3 mm d'épaisseur”
Source-Reported WeightApproximately 18.9 g“pesant environ 18,9 g”
Period AttributionEarly 20th century / Belle Époque“Période : Début du XXe siècle”

Visible details

  • Case back features an enameled right-facing female profile surrounded by engraved gold and applied decoration
  • Headdress and attire are set with rose-cut diamonds and translucent accents
  • Engraved floral and foliate border encircles the outer edge of the yellow gold case back
  • Crown and pendant bow attached at 12 o'clock position with a small pin push-piece visible adjacent

Research qualifications

  • The dial and movement are not shown in the provided photograph; their descriptions rely entirely on source statements
  • Source notes a small enamel loss on the back
  • Specific maker is unrecorded

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

Consulted source

Montre de poche en or jaune 18 carats émaillée française - Vers 1900 » Watch Museum : Découvrez le monde des montres de poche anciennes et vintage

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 483df3665e

Terms in this record

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

Other pendant pocket watch records