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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Calendar pocket watch

Swiss Silver and Enamel Centre Seconds Calendar Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This open-face pocket watch was manufactured in Switzerland during the late 18th century. The watch is encased in silver with a ribbed middle band. The rear of the case displays a polychrome miniature enamel painting depicting two figures by a lake, set against an engine-turned background and bordered with translucent turquoise enamel. The white enamel dial is configured with the time displayed in a sub-dial at the six o'clock position, accompanied by two upper sub-dials for date and day of the week, with the latter written in French. The movement is a gilt full-plate construction featuring fusee and chain transmission. It includes a bridge-style balance cock with intricate fretwork and a steel coqueret. Speed regulation is managed via a silver regulator disc equipped with a blue steel indicator.

White enamel dial with a time sub-dial at 6 o'clock and calendar sub-dials above.
White enamel dial with a time sub-dial at 6 o'clock and calendar sub-dials above. — Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Calendar pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Late 18th century
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 Dial Construction

The watch features an open-face silver case characterized by a ribbed middle band. The reverse of the case is decorated with a polychrome enamel miniature depicting two individuals resting by a lake. This artistic scene is applied over an engine-turned background, further accented by translucent turquoise enamel borders.

The white enamel dial exhibits a specialized layout. A dedicated sub-dial for time display is positioned at the six o'clock mark, featuring Arabic numerals and an integrated key-wind hole. Above this, two additional sub-dials provide calendar indications, showing the date and the days of the week, the latter inscribed in French. All temporal and calendar displays are operated via fine gold hands, while a central seconds hand traverses the primary dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب ساعت از نقره ساخته شده و لبه میانی آن دارای شیارهای ظریف (Ribbed middle) است”
  • “پشت قاب با یک صحنه مینیاتوری چندرنگ میناکاری (Polychrome enamel) تزیین شده”
  • “دو زیرصفحه در بالا اختصاص به نمایش تاریخ شماری و روزهای هفته به زبان فرانسوی دارند”

Movement and Escapement

The movement utilizes a gilt full-plate architecture, driven by a fusee and chain mechanism. The balance cock is executed in a bridge style, featuring manual fretwork and engraving accompanied by a steel coqueret. The balance assembly consists of a three-spoke gold-plated wheel paired with a blued steel hairspring.

Regulation is handled by a silver regulator disc, which is adjusted using a blue steel indicator.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای ساختار صفحه‌کامل و روکش‌طلا (Gilt full plate) مجهز به فیوزه (Fusee) و زنجیر است”
  • “خروس رقاصک (Cock) به سبک بریج، با ظرافت مشبک‌کاری و قلم‌زنی شده و دارای کوکرت فولادی (Steel coqueret) است”
  • “دیسک تنظیم‌کننده رقاصک (Regulator) از جنس نقره با نشانگر فولاد آبی طراحی شده”

Condition and Maintenance Considerations

The provided documentation emphasizes the importance of evaluating the condition of the watch's components. Potential purchasers are advised to inspect the rear enamel painting for any presence of hair-line cracks and to verify the integrity of the white enamel on the main dial, particularly around the apertures.

Furthermore, the functionality of the internal mechanics requires assessment. Specifically, the condition of the fusee chain and the accuracy of the calendar adjustment mechanism are noted as critical points that necessitate detailed examination to ensure proper operation.

Evidence for this section
  • “خریداران و مجموعه‌داران باید سلامت لعاب مینای پشت قاب از نظر ترک‌های مویی، سلامت مینای سفید صفحه در اطراف محل‌های عبور محورها و سوراخ کوک، و نیز یکپارچگی زنجیر فیوزه و سازوکار تغییر تقویم را به‌دقت بررسی نمایند.”

Open research questions

  • Are there any internal signatures or maker's marks visible on the main plate?
  • What is the specific diameter of the case?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss Silver and Enamel Centre Seconds Calendar Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Date of manufacturelate 18th century“اواخر قرن هجدهم میلادی”
Country of originSwitzerland“ساخت اواخر قرن هجدهم میلادی در سوئیس”
Case materialSilver“قاب ساعت از نقره ساخته شده”
Escapement typeVerge“سیستم رقاصک و چرخ‌دنگ ورج (Verge escapement)”
Movement typeGilt full plate with fusee“موتور ساعت دارای ساختار صفحه‌کامل و روکش‌طلا (Gilt full plate) مجهز به فیوزه (Fusee) و زنجیر است”
Decorative featuresPolychrome enamel scene“پشت قاب با یک صحنه مینیاتوری چندرنگ میناکاری (Polychrome enamel) تزیین شده”

Visible details

  • Ribbed middle band on the silver case
  • French language days of the week on the calendar sub-dial
  • Engine-turned background under enamel work on the case back
  • Key-wind aperture visible at the six o'clock sub-dial

Research qualifications

  • The source notes that buyers should examine the enamel for hair-line cracks
  • The exact dimensions of the watch are not specified in the source text

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

Consulted source

Silver and Enamel Centre Seconds Calendar Verge

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 7f4f493837

Terms in this record

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

Other calendar pocket watch records