Swiss niëllo silver quarter repeating lever pocket watch Circa 1890

Niëllo silver and pink gold open faced watch
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A Swiss niëllo silver and pink gold keyless pocket watch made by Sauser in La Chaux-de-Fonds, circa 1890. Quarter repeating on two steel gongs by two hammers, activated by a slide located on the case band at 3 o’clock. The case back with niëllo decoration of friezes and ornaments, and a pink gold, vacant cartouche in the center, both bezels and the pendant are decorated to match. White enamel dial with radial Roman hours, an outer minute track, outermost Arabic five minute numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 and decorative gilt metal hands. A nickel plated movement, going barrel, straight line lever escapement, cut compensated bimetallic balance with gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve. Signature on the movement.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Weight: 99 g
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Signed: Sauser  La Chaux de Fonds
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Niëllo is a decorative technique in which a black or dark grey alloy of sulfur, copper, silver and sometimes lead is applied to silver in engraved or etched patterns. After the niëllo paste is applied, the surface is heated, melting the alloy into the engravings, creating a beautiful contrast between the dark niello and the shiny silver. Polished niëllo cases were in fashion at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries.