German 18 carat gold early hunter cased watch Circa 1860

Pocket watch with Glashütte lever escapement
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A very early and small gold full hunter cased watch, probably made by Lange & Söhne in Glashütte, Germany, circa 1860. The numbered and on both sides engine turned, water drop shaped case was crafted from 18 carat gold, has a monogram in the middle of the spring lid and the case punch of C. Loup. The white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock and blued steel hands. The numbered movement has an early Glashütte precision lever escapement, a gold lever, a gold escape wheel and a magnificently engraved balance cock.
The case and movement have matching numbers and the movement is signed.
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Diameter: 43 mm
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Weight: 75 g
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Signed: H. Mansberger
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The item presented here is a rarity for collectors of scarce Glashütte watches.
This watch is a very early one produced by Lange & Söhne, its signature indicates a masterpiece or apprentice watch. However, the Glashütte watchmaking school was founded only in 1878.
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Mansberger
The pocket watch with the signature “H. Mansberger Glashütte” and number 1865 appears to be a very early and rare piece made in Glashütte, Germany, possibly by an apprentice or a master watchmaker. The watch features a movement from the famous Lange & Söhne company and the case and movement are both numbered “1865,” but research into a watchmaker named H. Mansberger in Glashütte has been unsuccessful, suggesting that the name might refer to a person associated with the watch’s creation rather than a well documented manufacturer.