Dates prior to 1945 - unknown maker, crystal missing
with Great grandmother born in 1870
Hello Steve,
Thank you for sending in this pocket watch to mearto.com for an appraisal. I shall try to help you with that tonight.
TITLE:
Ladies, 14k yellow gold, pendant wound and set, savonette, pendant pocket watch, made in Switzerland for export to Germany, made circa 1885-1890s.
PROVENANCE:
Belonged to the client’s (Steve Weber) great grandmother.
DESCRIPTION:
Case: Approximately 25mm in diameter, four leaf, 14k yellow gold, hunting case pendant/pocket watch with engine turned cover in a clamshell design. There is a suppressed ball fluted gold push button pendant at the three position (savonette) opposite the case hinge. The inside of the cover reveals the Swiss hallmarks for 14K gold, i.e. the squirrel and the quality mark of 0.585 (58.5% of 24K pure gold=14K). In addition the crown within a circle is evidence it passed through the Berlin assay office in Germany when it was exported from Switzerland. The G.P letter represent the casemaker in Switzerland (unidentified).
Dial: White enameled dial, unsigned, Roman hour numerals, gold dotted minute track, gilt fenestrated rococo Louis XVth style hands.
Movement: This is a half plate and finger bridge movement typical of Swiss watches during the end of the 19th century, especially in the 1890s. The half nickel plate has exposed ratchet and crown wheels, a curved center wheel bridge and two straight and parallel small finger bridges. The regulator is made in the Swiss style with three spoked balance wheel and a trapezoidal tab coming off the end of the regulator which is marked in French Avance and Retard for faster and slower. The movement is not otherwise marked and the maker cannot be identified.
CONDITION:
Case - In very good condition with a few minor areas of scratches and scuffing.
Dial – very good except unsigned.
Movement – Fair with oxidation and dark scuff marks and in need of a cleaning at a minimum.
COMPARABLES:
~https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/85742559_an-art-nouveau-ladies-pendant-watch (very similar and sold for 130 Euros in 2020)
~https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/85396707_18k-gold-tiffany-and-co-new-york-ladies-swiss-of (18k gold and red enameled pendant with gold broche made for Tiffany & Co. sold for $1100 in 2020)
~https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/71748076_swiss-pendant-watch (Another similar example sold in 2019 for $150)
https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/56762170_swiss-14k-lady-s-pendant-watch (sold for $300 in 2017)
PRICING:
Still a lovely adornment if worn today, as it was over a 125 years ago. I think that because of its condition, good to very good, this watch if sold at auction would have a fair market price in the range of $300-$350. Retail prices would be a bit higher. A wonderful family heirloom for you. I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Thank you for choosing mearto.com for your appraisal.
My best,
David
Dear Steve,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry. So that I may best assist you, can you please
(1) send me a photo of the entire movement.
(2) Also can you tell me the diameter of the watch case without including the winding crown?
Thanks,
David
Thanks - let m know if you need anything else. Much appreciated.
-Steve
Thank you Steve,
I will get to your watch but I have a line up of clocks to be appraised today. Perhaps tonight or certainly by tomorrow. Thanks for your quick response and patience. i truly appreciate that.
My best,
David
Thanks for the thorough assessment - much appreciated.
Stay well,
Steve
It looks to be 1". Photo w/ scale attached and another photo with movement attached.