French 18K yellow gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1900

Gold keyless lever watch with matching vest chain and fitted box
–
A fine French 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch with matching vest chain and fitted box, made and retailed by Lambert Lévy in Paris, circa 1900. It features a mechanical crown winding movement with a lever escapement, protected by an inner glass cuvette. The white enamel dial shows black painted Roman numerals for the hours, an outer minute track with Arabic five minute numerals from 5 to 60, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and ornate gold hands. The timepiece is housed in a smooth, round 18 carat solid yellow gold double case with a polished reverse back cover, a fluted winding crown, and a sturdy suspension bow. The watch is accompanied by a heavy matching 18 carat gold vest chain and presented in its original fitted presentation case lined in crimson silk and velvet, gold stamped A L’ESPERANCE, JOAILLERIE, Bijouterie Horlogerie, LAMBERT LEVY, 33 Bd St Martin 33, PARIS.
–
Diameter: 50 mm
–
Weight: 105.6 g
–
Signed: Lambert Lévy (on box)
–
Lambert Lévy operated under the sign “À L’Espérance” at 33 Boulevard Saint-Martin in Paris, a prominent jeweller and watchmaker during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. High grade French pocket watches from this period often featured glass protective cuvettes over the movement, allowing the owner to admire the fine mechanical finishing without exposing the delicate balance and wheel train to dust or debris. Offered with its original fitted retailer box and heavy gold curb link vest chain, this ensemble represents an exceptionally complete and well preserved turn of the century set.