Two-Tone Enamel Dial, Floral Engraved Silver Case, c.1880
Dating to approximately 1875-1885, this open-face pocket watch is housed in a silver case stamped FINE SILVER with a crown, a Swiss case marking of the years before the federal hallmarking law came into force in 1882. At 34.6mm, it is a compact and finely proportioned piece. The silver case is decorated with engine-turned engraving around the bezel edge. The outer case back is engraved with floral sprays around a vacant shield cartouche on an engine-turned ground.
The centrepiece is the dial: two-tone white enamel, with the Roman chapter ring on its own band around a separate centre field, which carries black scrollwork decoration around the hand collet. The enamel is clean, with no chips or hairlines visible.
Both hands are gold-toned with blued tips. The key-wind, key-set movement winds and sets correctly, and runs with admirable consistency. The frosted gilt bar movement has a plain brass balance and a regulator marked FAST and SLOW in English, and both winding and hand-setting are done with a key through the hinged cuvette.
