French 18K yellow gold open faced pocket watch Circa 1910

Gold open faced keyless lever watch
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A fine French 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch made by Gustave Sandoz in Paris, circa 1910. It has a mechanical crown winding movement with a lever escapement and a solid gold inner protective cuvette hand engraved with the maker’s prestigious signature and title Gve. Sandoz / Horloger de la Marine Imple. / Palais Royal / 147 / Paris. The white enamel dial features black Roman numerals for the hours, a railway minute track with red Arabic five minute numerals from 5 to 60, a large subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and sleek blued steel spade hands. The timepiece is housed in a smooth round three body, 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case. The reverse back cover features an intricately engraved intertwining foliate monogram LLM, a fluted winding crown, a small hand setting pusher on the caseband at 11 o’clock, and a sturdy round suspension bow.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 89.3 g
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Signed: Gve. Sandoz à Paris
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The name signed on the inner cuvette of this timepiece refers to the illustrious Sandoz dynasty of Parisian horologists, who stood at the pinnacle of French chronometry during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Founded by Gustave Sandoz, the firm established its ultra prestigious boutique at Palais Royal 147 in Paris, quickly securing the patronage of the French state. Most notably, Sandoz was appointed as the official Horloger de la Marine Impériale (Clockmaker to the Imperial Navy), a title reserved for the country’s most mathematically precise and inventive watchmakers, tasked with creating elite marine chronometers and high grade pocket watches. Renowned for their uncompromising technical execution and timeless aesthetic refinement, timepieces bearing the iconic Gve. Sandoz à Paris signature remain highly sought after by international collectors and are showcased in major horological museum collections.