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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Tavannes Watch Co. Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This pocket watch, held in the collection of the German Clock Museum (Deutsches Uhrenmuseum Furtwangen), is identified as a product of the Tavannes Watch Co. Attributed to approximately 1920, the piece exhibits a yellow metal case with a decorative engraved or chased band around the circumference. The watch features a metallic, matte-finish dial with Arabic numeral hour markers and a subsidiary seconds dial located at the six o'clock position. The dial is signed "Tavannes Watch Co." beneath the twelve o'clock marker. The hands are fashioned in a blue-steel finish, providing contrast against the dial surface. The crown is positioned at the twelve o'clock location, attached to a circular pendant and bow. According to museum documentation, the object measures 5.10 cm in diameter, 6.90 cm in height, and 1.00 cm in depth.

A front view of the Tavannes pocket watch showing the matte yellow dial, Arabic numerals, blue-steel hands, and the subsidiary seconds dial.
A front view of the Tavannes pocket watch showing the matte yellow dial, Arabic numerals, blue-steel hands, and the subsidiary seconds dial. — German Clock Museum via Europeana. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Tavannes Watch Co.
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
/1406/Museu_ProvidedCHO_museum_digital_29936__technical_number_
Source-reported date
circa 1920
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

Dial and Exterior Design

The timepiece features a yellow-toned dial displaying a matte or brushed finish. The hours are marked by prominent, dark-colored Arabic numerals, which are legible against the surface of the dial. The brand name, "Tavannes Watch Co.", is printed in a straightforward, sans-serif font centered on the upper half of the dial.

The outer edge of the watch case displays decorative milling or engraving, contributing to the visual profile of the bezel. The watch is equipped with blue-steel hands, providing a distinct color contrast. A subsidiary seconds dial is integrated into the lower portion of the main dial, featuring a dedicated track with markings for seconds.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pocket watch Tavannes Watch Co., Tavannes, circa 1920”

Physical Dimensions and Documentation

The object is catalogued by the German Clock Museum, which provides standardized measurements for the physical dimensions of the watch. With a diameter of 5.10 cm, the watch is sized for standard pocket storage. The total height, including the pendant and bow, is recorded at 6.90 cm, with a depth of 1.00 cm.

The institution documents the item under its specific identification number within the Europeana database. These metrics serve as the official dimensions maintained in the museum's registry, providing the basis for identifying this specific specimen in the broader context of the museum's horological collection.

Evidence for this section
  • “Höhe: 6.90 cm, Tiefe: 1.00 cm, Durchmesser: 5.10 cm”
  • “Europeana id /1406/Museu_ProvidedCHO_museum_digital_29936__technical_number_”

Attribution and Origin

The watch is attributed to the Tavannes Watch Co., a manufacturer active in the early twentieth century. Museum records date the object to circa 1920.

The object is currently housed at the German Clock Museum. It remains an individual reference within their collection, with the museum's documentation serving as the primary source for the identification of the maker and the approximate era of manufacture.

Evidence for this section
  • “Pocket watch Tavannes Watch Co., Tavannes, circa 1920”
  • “held by German Clock Museum”

Open research questions

  • What is the metal composition of the watch case?
  • Does the movement caliber align with documented Tavannes production from 1920?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Tavannes Watch Co. Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerTavannes Watch Co.“maker recorded: Tavannes Watch Co.”
Datecirca 1920“Pocket watch Tavannes Watch Co., Tavannes, circa 1920”
Diameter5.10 cm“Durchmesser: 5.10 cm”
Height6.90 cm“Höhe: 6.90 cm”
Depth1.00 cm“Tiefe: 1.00 cm”
Holding InstitutionGerman Clock Museum“held by German Clock Museum”
Identification/1406/Museu_ProvidedCHO_museum_digital_29936__technical_number_“Europeana id /1406/Museu_ProvidedCHO_museum_digital_29936__technical_number_”

Visible details

  • Metallic dial with blued steel hands
  • Arabic numeral hour markers
  • Decorative, possibly engraved, bezel edge
  • Subsidiary seconds dial at six o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Material composition of the case is not specified in the provided data
  • Internal movement details are not visible or documented in the source

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

Consulted source

Pocket watch, Tavannes Watch Co., Tavannes, circa 1920, Tavannes Watch Co., 1920

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record a44ae3d2ec

Terms in this record

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

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