Antique Large Format Murillo Silver Pocket Watch - Switzerland c.1890

Antique Large Format Murillo Silver Pocket Watch. Switzerland, circa 1890 This antique Swiss silver pocket watch, signed Murillo Genève and dated circa 1890, stands out for its imposing presence, its fine hand engraving and its impeccable functioning. It is a splendid example of large format Geneva watchmaking, 63 mm, from the late nineteenth century, a period in which independent workshops produced pieces of great beauty by combining mechanical robustness with an increasingly appreciated aesthetic refinement. The watch preserves all the charm of this tradition. A very large 0.800 silver case, a Swiss 15 jewel movement with anchor escapement and a richly worked dial that stands out for its silvered tones and golden details. Every element shows coherence, harmony and a clear artisanal intention that still today conveys elegance and authenticity. The case, imposing with its 63 mm, is a true canvas of Swiss engraving. On one of the covers appears a smooth cartouche prepared for initials, surrounded by floral motifs executed with exquisite depth. On the other cover spreads an alpine landscape with houses and mountains that reflects the decorative taste of the period. All three covers, front, back and dust cover, bear perfectly visible official Swiss hallmarks, confirming that it is 0.800 silver. The interior displays delicate concentric guilloché work, while the dust cover surprises with its circular engraved composition. Murillo Genève, 15 Rubis, Ancre, Remontoir, Ligne Droite, together with the case number 176309, which matches that of the main structure. The dial is equally detailed, with black Roman numerals, argenté decorations, a raised central zone and gilt appliqués that provide brightness and depth. The blued Breguet style hands add a classic and refined touch that enhances the composition even more. The crystals are perfect, without cracks or marks, and the covers close precisely and hermetically. All this contributes to a watch that not only looks beautiful but also conveys solidity and technical continuity. The Swiss movement, visible under a protective crystal, maintains the traditional aesthetic of Geneva ébauches from the last quarter of the nineteenth century. Well arranged wheel train, micrometric regulation, jewelled settings and a smooth, stable anchor escapement. It remains clean, intact and in excellent working order, keeping perfect time, a characteristic much sought after by collectors and lovers of classic watchmaking. The fact that both the movement and the case are signed Murillo reinforces its historical coherence and adds value to the piece. In short, an exceptional piece for anyone who values aesthetics, mechanics and authenticity. Its large format, its magnificent condition, its burin decoration and its impeccable functioning make it an ideal watch for gifting, for starting a collection with strength or for enriching an existing one with a piece of real personality. It is an object that moves, that tells a story and that is ready to continue accompanying its next owner for many years. History of Murillo and Swiss watchmaking in the late 19th Century: The history of this watch intertwines with the watchmaking tradition of Geneva, one of the most influential cities in the development of European horology since the eighteenth century. During the second half of the nineteenth century, Switzerland experienced a period of extraordinary watchmaking activity thanks to the combination of independent workshops, specialised craftsmen and small retailers who assembled high quality pieces signed with their own names. Among them was Murillo, an establishment active in the last decades of the nineteenth century whose production, although less documented than that of the great manufactures, maintains all the characteristic features of the Geneva school. The Swiss production system of the time was fragmented. One maker produced the ébauche, another the case, another performed the engraving, and finally an assembling watchmaker adjusted the set and signed it. This method made it possible to create watches with a marked aesthetic identity and a notable technical level by combining the efforts of different specialised trades. Murillo, as assembler or retailer, selected good movements, commissioned quality silver cases and applied a characteristic visual identity intended for both the local and international markets. Its activity forms part of the current of Geneva watchmakers who, although not appearing in major industrial directories, contributed decisively to the expansion of the Swiss export watch. The watches signed Murillo that have survived to this day share common features. 0.800 or 0.900 silver, robust 15 jewel movements, ornamented dials and dust covers engraved with abundant technical iconography. This set makes Murillo pieces excellent representatives of the Geneva artisanal network, testimonies of a period in which aesthetics and precision coexisted harmoniously. Today these watches are increasingly valued by collectors seeking authentic pieces with coherence and a strong historical foundation.