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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Pocket watch

Watch by Daniel Vauchez

Partially verified

This pocket watch was manufactured by Daniel Vauchez, who was active between 1767 and 1790. Attributed to the period of circa 1783–1790, the timepiece originated in Geneva, Switzerland, and was produced for the French market. The watch is constructed from brass and steel for the movement. The exterior case features partly enameled gold embellished with pearls, paired with a gold bezel set with diamonds in silver. The dial is composed of white enamel and fitted with openwork brass hands. The watch measures 1 1/2 inches (3.8 cm) in case diameter, while the back plate measures 1 3/16 inches (3 cm) in diameter. It is currently held within the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department at The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

The enamelled gold case of the watch by Daniel Vauchez, with painted scene and gem-set border
The enamelled gold case of the watch by Daniel Vauchez, with painted scene and gem-set border — The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Daniel Vauchez
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
17.190.1587
Source-reported date
ca. 1783–90
Source-reported place
Switzerland, Geneva

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 a decorative gold case that is partially enameled. The gold bezel is finished with diamonds set into silver settings.

The interior dial is crafted from white enamel. It displays black Roman numeral hour markers and is equipped with openwork brass hands. The overall diameter of the case is 1 1/2 inches, or 3.8 centimeters.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: partly enameled gold set with pearls, gold bezel with diamonds set in silver”
  • “Dial: white enamel with openwork brass hands”
  • “Diameter (case): 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)”

Movement and Origin

The internal mechanism of the watch is composed of brass and steel. The movement is attributed to the Swiss watchmaker Daniel Vauchez, who was active in Geneva during the late 18th century. The piece was produced specifically for the French market.

The back plate of the movement measures 1 3/16 inches, or 3 centimeters, in diameter. The production is dated by the institution to the period between circa 1783 and 1790.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: brass and steel”
  • “from Swiss, Geneva, for French market.”
  • “Diameter (back plate): 1 3/16 in. (3 cm)”

Provenance and Documentation

This object is part of the collection of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, assigned the accession number 17.190.1587. It is classified under the institution's European Sculpture and Decorative Arts department.

The watch was acquired by the museum as part of the gift of J. Pierpont Morgan in 1917. The documentation provided by the museum serves as the primary record for these specifications.

Evidence for this section
  • “The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this object as 17.190.1587”
  • “Photograph credit: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of J. Pierpont Morgan, 1917”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific nature of the enameled scene and its potential connection to 18th-century ballooning history?
  • Are there additional movement markings beyond the identified maker that clarify the specific workshop production date?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Watch by Daniel Vauchez
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerDaniel Vauchez“Watchmaker: Daniel Vauchez (French, born 1716, active 1767–90)”
Dateca. 1783–90“dated ca. 1783–90”
OriginSwiss, Geneva, for French market“from Swiss, Geneva, for French market.”
Case MaterialsPartly enameled gold, pearls, diamonds, silver“Case: partly enameled gold set with pearls, gold bezel with diamonds set in silver”
Dial MaterialsWhite enamel and brass“Dial: white enamel with openwork brass hands”
Case Diameter3.8 cm“Diameter (case): 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm)”
Accession Number17.190.1587“The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds this object as 17.190.1587”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black Roman numerals
  • Openwork brass hands
  • Back of case features an enameled scene of figures working with a balloon
  • Case border is decorated with a series of pearls

Research qualifications

  • Originating in Geneva for the French market is a source attribution
  • The specific dating remains an approximation
  • Wider type and specifications require further horological verification

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

Consulted source

Watch by Daniel Vauchez, Swiss, Geneva, for French market, ca. 1783–90

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 98969f2527

Terms in this record

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

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