Hello Giorgos,
Thank you for sending in this antique pocket watch to mearto.com for an appraisal. I shall try to help you with that today.
TITLE:
Gentleman’s, nickel plated silver, pendant wound and pin set, open face pocket watch, made by Japy Freres & Cie, La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, circa 1887.
PROVENANCE
“Old watch from my grandfather”
DESCRIPTION:
Case: Size not provided this appears to be a full size, approximately 50mm diameter, three leaf, and nickel-plated silver case. The outer cover is not seen but inside that cover is a word (which I cannot read and you describe as “ARBENI”) which either says Argenti or Argentan, both some form of silver, most likely a nickel plated silver case. There is a fluted gilt ball pendant and oval bow placed at the twelve position and a pin-setting button placed at the one o’clock position (used to set the correct time on the dial).
Dial: White enameled dial with Roman hours, closed minute track, subsidiary seconds @6, skeletonized “Oriental” hands and the transfer print of a steam locomotive in the upper dial.
Movement: Nickel half plate and bifid finger bridge movement with exposed great wheel having a bridge attached to it carrying the trademark of the maker, 'JFC', a crossed ‘J’ & ‘F’ with a ‘C’ connecting the other two initials with four stars placed above it. This indicated a trademark filed by Japy Freres & Cie on April 15, 1887 in Chaux de Fonds Switzerland. It was the French watchmaker’s first mark in Switzerland and it was quickly followed by five other markings through 1893, indicating the years (1887-1893) when Japy Freres made watches in their Switzerland factory. There is a three-arm brass monometallic balance wheel and Swiss style index regulator marked in French and English initials for faster and slower.
CONDITION:
Case – Fair with scratches and signs of oxidation of the silver casing.
Dial: Good with a few small scuffs and scratches.
Movement – Fair to good with sign of needing cleaning. Signs of scratches, wear and oxidation to the brass and the nickel movement plates.
Overall in fair condition.
HISTORY:
Although primarily a clock company this same company early too in the late 19th century also made watch parts, watch cases and watch dials and movements. They opened up a factory in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland from 1887 at least through 1893 and registered several trademarks. The 'JFC' mark was first listed in 1887, the ‘Gouloise’ rooster mark followed in 1888, Beaucourt Watch company mark also in 1888, the ‘Universal Popular’ mark in 1888 also, the ‘Beaucourt’ mark in 1890 and finally the ‘Metrapole’ mark in 1893. . . . . . . . . .
Frederick Japy (1749-1812) was born in Beaucort, France. He was the first to stamp and to "rough-out” clock parts and movements by machine tools (1776). In 1779 he patented machinery for making clock and watch parts by unskilled workers by using methods of mass production. This was a small milling machine. In 1810 he started a factory at Baderel. The company grew and became one of the great 19th century industrial firms for clocks, watches, locks kitchen, dinner ware and water pumps. After his death the work was carried on by his sons, who in 1812, formed "Societe Japy Freres". Many small hamlets in France were turned into busy mill towns by this family, whose endeavors matched those of the great industrialists in America during the 19th century. They produced a product of high quality. The five brothers traded under the name "Japy Freres" from 1837. After 1854 "Japy Freres et Cie" appeared, followed in 1928 by "Societe Anonyme des Establissments Japy Freres". Prior to 1880 there was the use of a count wheel, seen on the back plate, for striking. After that date they used a rack and snail strike. The following will be helpful in dating these clocks.
COMPARABLES:
https://www.catawiki.com/l/26591121-japy-freres-cie-beaucourt-pocket-watch-no-reserve-price-men-1901-1949 (Sold for 75 Euros in 2019)
https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/japy-freres-beaucourt-pocket-watch-1880-1900-DrQQBC3bmU (sold for $123 in 2015)
https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/japy-freres-pocket-watch-1880-1900-tVq-R1psMI (sold for $99 in 2015)
https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/japy-freres-men-s-pocket-watch-1900-aHdxnj4u4P (sold for $89 in 2017)
https://www.barnebys.com/realized-prices/lot/beaucourt-men-1880-1900-v-zkZ3rA- (sold for 445 in 2016)
PRICING:
From looking at other Japy Freres pocket watches and their movements I think this watch would have a fair market value in today’s watch market in the range of $70-$80. Retail prices, of course, would be higher.
I hope this helps to explain your family pocket watch. It is worth much more in family value than it is worth in Euros or Dollars.
I hope you continue to enjoy it.
Thank you again for using mearto.com
My best,
David