Antique Swiss 18K Gold Pocket Watch, Switzerland, Circa 1875 to 1885

Antique Swiss 18K Gold Pocket Watch, Switzerland, circa 1875 to 1885 This wonderful antique pocket watch is a true jewel of late nineteenth century Swiss watchmaking, a high quality piece that captivates from the very first moment thanks to its elegance, balance and outstanding state of preservation. It is a watch conceived for someone who values precision, mechanical excellence and the timeless beauty of a fine historical timepiece. The case is made entirely of solid 18K gold and displays especially harmonious proportions. With a diameter of 46 mm, it offers a compact yet very pleasant size in the hand, elegant and perfectly suitable for use or for collecting. The watch conveys an immediate sensation of luxury, solidity and quality when held. It is beautifully preserved, with a warm and even shine and a very attractive natural patina. There are no dents, knocks or significant wear, making it an outstanding example of preservation. The white enamel dial is simply beautiful. Clean, luminous and exceptionally clear, it is decorated with perfectly defined Roman numerals, a precise peripheral minute track and an elegant subsidiary seconds dial at six o’clock. The enamel is in impeccable condition, with no cracks, hairlines or visible restorations, something increasingly difficult to find in watches of this age. The fine, well proportioned hands further enhance the classical and refined character of the whole. Inside, it houses an excellent Swiss bar movement, equipped with a lever escapement, clearly indicated on the dust cover by the inscription “Ancre ligne droite”. The movement features 19 jewels, with visible stones, demonstrating a superior mechanical standard. It is also fitted with a compensated bimetallic balance and a Breguet overcoil hairspring, a combination reserved for quality watches, designed to improve rate stability and timekeeping accuracy under temperature variations. Winding and time setting are carried out by key, a traditional system that today is particularly attractive to collectors of antique watches. The watch is supplied with a modern functional key, perfectly adapted to the mechanism, although not original to the period. The watch has been tested and runs beautifully, keeping time very well, proving that its excellent condition is not only aesthetic but also mechanical. This is a piece intended to become part of a serious antique watch collection, where it can be admired in a display cabinet or collection room, or to serve as an extraordinary gift for a very special person, someone who appreciates history, precision and the discreet luxury of a great nineteenth century watch. It is an object that conveys distinction, horological culture and an exquisite taste for authentic pieces. This watch is not merely an instrument for measuring time. It is a historical jewel, a testimony to great Swiss watchmaking and a piece that evokes emotion. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find pocket watches of this quality, with solid gold cases, advanced mechanics and such an outstanding state of preservation. An exceptional opportunity to acquire a truly special watch, meant to be preserved, admired and passed on. An unforgettable gift or a top level addition to any antique watch collection. Measurements. Diameter 46 mm. Weight 70.7 g. History of the Nineteenth Century Swiss Pocket Watch During the second half of the nineteenth century, Switzerland experienced a true golden age of watchmaking, establishing itself as the world’s leading reference for high quality timepieces. Unlike other countries, Swiss watch production was organized as a network of specialized workshops, where each craftsman focused on a specific part of the watch, such as escapements, balances, hairsprings, cases or dials. This system made it possible to achieve extraordinary levels of precision, reliability and finish. Swiss watches, like this magnificent example, often bore inscriptions in French that clearly highlighted their technical qualities: “Ancre ligne droite”, “Balancier compensé” or “Spiral Breguet”. These mentions were true marks of prestige and served to distinguish higher grade watches from simpler models, such as those with cylinder escapements, still common at that time. The introduction of the compensated balance and the Breguet hairspring represented a decisive advance in rate stability, especially valued by professionals, merchants and travelers. Although crown winding systems were beginning to gain popularity towards the end of the nineteenth century, key wound watches remained synonymous with tradition, robustness and reliability, and enjoyed great prestige among more conservative users. Today, Swiss pocket watches from this period are highly sought after by collectors worldwide. They represent a time when watchmaking combined art, technique and elegance without compromise. Finding a watch of this type, with a solid gold case and in such remarkable condition, is increasingly rare, making it a piece with strong emotional appeal and unquestionable collectible interest.