Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Ball-form pendant watch

Swiss Ball Pendant Watch

Partially verified

This Swiss ball-form pendant watch, numbered 13809, dates to circa 1900. The watch is contained within a three-body ball-form yellow gold case, featuring a matted finish decorated with applied high-relief foliate motifs embellished with rose-cut diamonds. The band is detailed with applied rosettes. Winding and hand-setting are performed via the bezel. The watch is attached to a yellow gold double-strand long chain that includes a diamond-set slide. The white enamel dial displays blue Arabic numerals, a red numeral 12, and an outer gilt dot minute track. The watch is powered by a 7-ligne matte gilt movement featuring a full plate, 10 jewels, a lateral lever escapement, a cut bimetallic compensation balance, a blued steel flat balance spring, and an index regulator. The piece measures 19 mm in diameter.

A yellow gold ball-form pendant watch featuring high-relief foliate decoration, rose-cut diamonds, and a gold double-strand chain with a diamond-set slide.
A yellow gold ball-form pendant watch featuring high-relief foliate decoration, rose-cut diamonds, and a gold double-strand chain with a diamond-set slide. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Ball-form pendant watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
474
Source-reported date
circa 1900
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
13809

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 Details

The watch features a three-body, ball-form case crafted from yellow gold. The exterior surface is finished with a matted texture and adorned with applied high-relief foliate decoration, which is set with rose-cut diamonds. The band of the ball is further ornamented with applied rosettes. A notable aspect of the design is the winding and hand-setting mechanism, which is integrated directly into the bezel.

Accompanying the watch is a yellow gold double-strand long chain. This chain includes a slide feature that is also set with diamonds, maintaining the aesthetic theme of the watch case.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three-body, ball-form, matted with applied high-relief foliate decoration set with rose-cut diamonds”
  • “the band with applied rosettes, bezel winding and hand-setting”
  • “yellow gold double-strand long chain with a diamond-set slide”

Movement and Dial

The dial is composed of white enamel featuring blue Arabic numerals, with the exception of the numeral 12, which is rendered in red. The chapter ring includes outer gilt dot minute divisions, and the time is indicated by spade-style hands. The auction house reports that these hands are partially replaced.

Internally, the watch contains a 7-ligne matte gilt movement of full plate construction. The caliber is fitted with 10 jewels and utilizes a lateral lever escapement. Regulation is controlled by an index regulator, and the balance assembly consists of a cut bimetallic compensation balance paired with a blued steel flat balance spring.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel with blue Arabic numerals and red 12, outer gilt dot minute divisions.”
  • “7???, matte gilt, full plate, 10 jewels, lateral lever escapement”
  • “cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel flat balance spring, index regulator.”
  • “HANDS Partially replaced”

Condition and Status

The auction description provides a general grading for the object. The watch case is rated as grade 3 (good) and the movement as grade 3* (good). The dial is assessed as grade 3-06 (good).

While the movement is described as in good working order, the auction house specifically recommends that an overhaul be conducted.

Evidence for this section
  • “Grading System Grade: AA Very good Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • Is there an identifiable manufacturer's mark on the movement or case interior not visible in the provided photo?
  • Does the '7???' notation in the source definitively translate to a 7-ligne movement, or is it a corrupted data entry?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss Ball Pendant Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Serial Number13809“No. 13809”
Case DescriptionThree-body, matted ball-form with foliate decoration and rose-cut diamonds“Three-body, ball-form, matted with applied high-relief foliate decoration set with rose-cut diamonds”
Winding MethodBezel winding and hand-setting“bezel winding and hand-setting”
Dial FeaturesWhite enamel with blue numerals and red 12“White enamel with blue Arabic numerals and red 12”
Movement Caliber7-ligne matte gilt, full plate“7???, matte gilt, full plate”
Jewels10“10 jewels”
EscapementLateral lever escapement“lateral lever escapement”
Case Diameter19 mm“Diam. 19 mm.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with blue numerals and red 12
  • Ball-form case with matted finish and foliate decoration
  • Double-strand chain with a central diamond-set slide
  • Bezel-integrated winding and hand-setting mechanism

Research qualifications

  • The auction description notes that the hands are partially replaced.
  • The auction house recommends an overhaul for the movement.
  • Maker identity is not provided.

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

Consulted source

Swiss Ball Pendant Watch Swiss, No. 13809. Made circa 1900. Very fine, yellow gold and rose-cut diamond-set ball-form lady's pendant watch with bezel winding and a yellow gold double-strand long chain with a diamond-set slide.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 5046b09759

Terms in this record

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