French gold, enamel and diamond-set Carnet de Bal Circa 1830

Carnet de Bal with integrated watch
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An extremely rare French 18 carat gold, enamel and diamond-set Carnet de Bal with an integrated watch, circa 1830. Oval form watch movement, cylinder escapement. White enamel dial with Roman hours and outer minute divisions. Case with blue engine-turned enamel on all sides, one side with imperfections, the front with an oval ivory miniature surrounded by rose-cut diamonds, below the watch, also surrounded by rose-cut diamonds, inscribed Souvenir, the back with an oval gold monogram, again surrounded by rose-cut diamonds, inscribed d’Amitie, underneath the lid for winding and time setting, diamond rim, top-hinged. On the inside the cards made of ivory and a gold pencil holder.
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Dimensions: 50 x 93 mm
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Weight: 99 g
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Signed: No name
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Carnet de Bal (dance card cases) with an integrated watch are an absolute rarity. They are even rarer than tobacco boxes or wallets with a watch. The case was once part of the collection of the Fondation Napoleon.