French 18K yellow gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1900

Gold open faced keyless lever watch
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A fine French 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch made by or for A. Cabanne in Saint-Amand, circa 1900. It has a mechanical crown winding gilded brass movement with a straightline lever escapement (Ligne Droite), visible pallets (Levées Visibles), a compensation balance wheel (Balancier Compensé), a Breguet hairspring (Spiral Breguet), and 15 jewels. The white enamel dial shows black 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 gilded Louis XV style hands.
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The timepiece is housed in a smooth, round, 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case with a plain polished reverse back cover, a fluted winding crown, a sturdy oval suspension bow, and a solid 18 carat gold inner protective cuvette finely hand engraved with technical specifications framed by scrollwork and signed A. Cabanne à St Amand.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Weight: 75.6 g
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Signed: A. Cabanne à Saint-Amand
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A. Cabanne was a French regional watchmaker and jeweller (horloger bijoutier) operating in Saint-Amand around 1900. Instead of manufacturing raw movements (ébauches) from scratch, Cabanne sourced high grade Swiss or French components, assembled and finished the timepieces carefully, and hand engraved his name and town on the gold inner dust cover as a seal of origin and quality for his clientele.