Silver Watch Inscribed as a Gift, 12 December 1895
Inscribed on the inner case back - P.KROON / 12/12/1895 - this watch was presented as a gift to someone named P. Kroon on 12 December 1895, over 130 years ago. Kroon is a Dutch surname.
The case is solid 800 silver, confirmed by the Swiss federal moon and crown hallmarks - quality control marks introduced under Swiss law in 1882 and struck only on silver that passed official assay. The engine-turned guilloche back retains its fine geometric pattern beneath a natural patina. Inside sits a double-back construction: an outer case, an inner dust cover, and then the movement.
The gilt Swiss lever movement winds and sets correctly. It runs. It would benefit from a service to address slight stiffness in the winding stroke, but it is a functioning 19th-century mechanism. The silvered metal dial carries Arabic numerals and a sub-seconds register at 6 o'clock, both showing honest age.
A properly hallmarked 19th-century Swiss silver pocket watch with dateable, documented provenance.
