Pocket watch · Brooch watch with concealed shutter dial

Verger Frères 'Montre à Volets' Brooch Watch

Partially verified

This Art Deco brooch watch, described as a 'montre à volets', is source-reported as made in Paris during the 1930s by Verger Frères, featuring a movement by Cyma Watch Co. Crafted in 18ct white and yellow gold with black enamel, it includes horizontal yellow gold shutters that conceal a matt silvered dial displaying painted Arabic numerals and blued steel hands. According to the source, the shutters open via a crown positioned at 9 o'clock. Both crowns are set with malachite cabochons, and the square bezel connects to a reeded sprung clip.

Front view showing black enamel brooch body, partially opened shutters, silvered dial, and malachite-set crowns — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.bonhams.com
Category: Pocket watch · Brooch watch with concealed shutter dial
Maker / attribution: Verger Frères
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 93
Source-reported date: 1930s
Country: France

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

Identity and Case Construction

This Art Deco 'montre à volets' brooch watch is attributed by the cataloguer to Verger Frères and dated approximately to 1930s Paris. The piece measures 30mm x 42mm and combines 18ct white and yellow gold with black enamel decoration. Visible inspection confirms a central geometric black enamel body flanked by two crowns tipped with green cabochons, leading down to a ribbed yellow metal sprung clip attachment at the base.

The construction incorporates a white gold square bezel framing horizontal yellow gold louvres designed to conceal the time display. According to the cataloguer, these shutters operate mechanically, 'opening by the means of a crown at 9 o'clock'. Both lateral crowns are reported to be set with malachite, and the case back is described as 'held by four screws'.

Evidence for this section

“Verger Frères. A fine and rare "montre à volets" 18ct white and yellow gold, black enamel decorated brooch with concealed shutter dial Paris, 1930's, movement by Cyma Watch Co.”
“shutters in yellow gold opening by the means of a crown at 9 o'clock, white gold square bezel to a reeded yellow gold sprung clip, back held by four screws, both crowns set with malachite”
“30mm x 42mm.”

Dial and Movement Details

Beneath the horizontal yellow gold shutters sits a matt silvered dial configured with painted Arabic numerals and blued steel hands. As observed in the photograph, the horizontal louvres partially part across the square bezel frame to reveal the dial beneath.

The movement is not visible in the front photograph, but is catalogued as manufactured by Cyma Watch Co. It is described as a 15-jeweled movement with a lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, and flat balance spring. Running condition and mechanical timing performance are not detailed in the source documentation.

Evidence for this section

“matt silvered dial with painted Arabic numerals and blued steel hands”
“movement by Cyma Watch Co.”
“15 jeweled movement with lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, flat balance spring”

Reported Maker's Mark and Cataloguing Scope

The auction footnote states that Verger Frères' Art Deco pieces are stamped with a lozenge bearing the initials 'VF', specifically noting that 'on this particular example the mark can be found on the inside of the case back.'

Because documentation is limited to a single front-facing auction photograph and brief lot description, physical confirmation of the internal stamps, movement caliber designation, and case back screw arrangement relies entirely on the cataloguer's text. The production date is similarly recorded only as the broad window 'Paris, 1930's'.

Evidence for this section

“The finest of the Art Deco pieces are stamped with a lozenge bearing the initials 'VF' and on this particular example the mark can be found on the inside of the case back.”
“Paris, 1930's, movement by Cyma Watch Co.”

Open research questions

What specific Cyma movement caliber or reference is installed within the case?
Are French precious metal assay marks or case numbers present alongside the 'VF' lozenge mark on the inside of the case back?
Which crown handles winding and time setting relative to the 9 o'clock shutter mechanism?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Verger Frères 'Montre à Volets' Brooch Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Verger Frères	“Verger Frères. A fine and rare "montre à volets" 18ct white and yellow gold, black enamel decorated brooch with concealed shutter dial”
Movement Maker	Cyma Watch Co.	“movement by Cyma Watch Co.”
Jewels and Escapement	15 jewels, lever escapement	“15 jeweled movement with lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, flat balance spring”
Dimensions	30mm x 42mm	“30mm x 42mm.”
Crown details	Set with malachite	“both crowns set with malachite”
Maker's Mark	Lozenge with initials 'VF'	“The finest of the Art Deco pieces are stamped with a lozenge bearing the initials 'VF' and on this particular example the mark can be found on the inside of the case back.”
Case Back Construction	Held by four screws	“back held by four screws”
Shutter Operating Mechanism	Crown at 9 o'clock	“shutters in yellow gold opening by the means of a crown at 9 o'clock”
Brooch Attachment	Reeded yellow gold sprung clip	“white gold square bezel to a reeded yellow gold sprung clip”

Visible details

Square white metal bezel frame enclosing horizontal yellow-toned louvres/shutters revealing the dial beneath.
Geometric black enamel body flanked by two crowns tipped with green cabochons.
Ribbed yellow metal sprung clip attachment at the base.

Research qualifications

The internal Cyma movement and case back lozenge mark are not visible in the front-facing photograph.
Slight surface markings or reflections appear on the white metal bezel.

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

Consulted source

Bonhams : Verger Frères. A fine and rare "montre à volets" 18ct white and yellow gold, black enamel decorated brooch with concealed shutter dial Paris, 1930's, movement by Cyma Watch Co.

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3f57df08f0

Terms in this record

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