Ladies’ 1900 Misc. Swiss Pendant Watch

Well before the advent of the "wristlets" we now know as wrist watches, if a lady wished to wear a timepiece, it would have been a small pocket watch worn about the neck. This miniature version of a man's pocket watch also could be worn hanging from a breast-pin as a pendant. These watches were quite often fancifully decorated and hand-carved or enameled. Such is the case with this stunning Art Nouveau pendant watch with chain.

Without question, this bluebell flower-shaped pendant watch is one of the finest we've had the pleasure of offering. SUCH an exceptional solid silver case, adorned in intricate Nouveau enamel work and fitted with a high-grade 15 ruby-jeweled Swiss movement.

Take a moment to admire the work of this artist: Starting with a smooth, heavy case of solid silver, he or she used a set of sharp graving tools to carefully carve a Rococo floral scene around the case, then inlay the recesses with powdered glass of varying colors. When fired, it produced the stunning case you see.

We've seen many examples of pendant timepieces; however, we've never seen a bluebell-shaped example like this. Notice the cabochon sapphire crown serves as the stylized stamen of the watch-flower. The work is, in a word exquisite.

Pop open an equally fanciful back cover and you'll find silver hallmarks. You'll find another treasure-within-a-treasure: a completely original, fully serviced 15 ruby-jeweled mechanical pocket watch movement!

The piece, measuring approximately 41mm long not counting the clasp by 25mm wide, has been cleaned, oiled and calibrated so that it keeps time as intended. Accompanying the watch is a fetter-linked silver chain that allows the watch to be worn just below the bosom, picked up and read "upside down" from the perspective of the wearer.

We're delighted to offer pendant and chain in a period royal blue and crème presentation box.