Wristwatch from 1890?

Mr Watch · Dec 30, 2017

I belive this is a very early wristwatch, perhaps made before 1900....

No signature (haven´t checked under the dial).

- Winding with bezel
- Hand setting with knob in the center of the dial under glas no 1 (there is two glasses).
- Bracelet and case, all looks original, made of silver.

I am searching after any further information .................

Regards
Peter

JimInOz · Dec 30, 2017

Very unusual. It has a cylinder escapement which was normal for the mid to late 19th century and even a bit later in many French and Swiss pocket watches.

The bracelet was probably added to a ladies pocket watch at a later date IMO.

UncleBuck · Dec 30, 2017

1930's looking bracelet, eh?
Feminine dial in beautiful porcelain seems more a broach than a pocket......may I ask the size?

Don't throw it away just yet!

UncleBuck · Dec 30, 2017

UncleBuck
seems more a broach than a pocket

The ladies didn't have pockets then, did they!
Jim, any guess as to the make or the area of origin? Looks Continental, not American.
Could well be a base movement, finish crafted one-off at the bench. I wish we could hear the story.

jimmyd13 · Dec 30, 2017

Initial thought is that it's a late 19th century fob watch that has a later bracelet added. That's just my initial thought, though. Any detailed photos of the case above the 12 where the bracelet now fits to see if there is evidence of alteration?

UncleBuck · Dec 30, 2017

jimmyd13
fob watch

Weren't they more casual/sporting for the ladies of this period?
The floral porcelain seems more formal to me.

jimmyd13 · Dec 30, 2017

UncleBuck
Weren't they more casual/sporting for the ladies of this period?
The floral porcelain seems more formal to me.

I regularly see examples of fobs from that era with that style ... might even have one in my "projects box" with a similar cyliner escapement movement.

UncleBuck · Dec 30, 2017

jimmyd13
fobs from that era with that style

Picture the high-born "hunting girl" in riding garb and checking her watch for tea......

jimmyd13 · Dec 30, 2017

I've just had another look at the photos and what's struck me is the hand-setting "device". I've not seen that before. This watch was obviously always intended to be stemless and keyless ... ladies wristwatches did predate mens in usage so ... this could be correct and original.

UncleBuck · Dec 30, 2017

jimmyd13
this could be correct and original

That bracelet is much later.
We would need some good photos of the lug attachment and would love some provenance.
I am skeptical.

jimmyd13 · Dec 30, 2017

UncleBuck
That bracelet is much later.

True ...

.... yeah, really need to see that case detail. It's certainly interesting.

Mr Watch · Dec 31, 2017

Hello!

Thank for all replies.😀

I have a collection of early wristwatches and there are some other watches woluld like to show and have" feedback" on. I will publish some of them in separete threads.
...................................................

Some new pictures. The diameter is approx. 29 mm. Winding- and handsetting mecanism is very special. Movement and case with production number(?) 366. No marks or name (I haven´t checked under the dial)
The case has extra space inside for the winding barrel. Bracelet mark 900 (silver) and some other stamps wich are hard to read..
No traces of altering from a pocket watch.

Regards
Peter

Tire-comedon · Dec 31, 2017

UncleBuck
1930's looking bracelet, eh?
Feminine dial in beautiful porcelain seems more a broach than a pocket......may I ask the size?

Don't throw it away just yet!

I wouldn't bet it is a 1930's style.
Look for example on this Omega metal bracelet in catalogs from 1906 to 1917 :

French 1906 Kirby catalog (which also displays women's Pocket/fob watches) :

Canadian catalog, undated but probably same period (see how they placed the Watch upside down to have the crown on the right!) :

1913 and1914 catalog :

Two 1910 and one 1911 French advertisings:

And finally some pages from the 1917 French catalog :

(sorry for trolling the thread...)

Mr Watch · Dec 31, 2017

Yes the bracelets in these catalogues looks a bit similar in style. Very nice and interesting pictures..Thank you!

Rgds
Peter