Swiss 18k gold watch in a waterproof Borgel case Circa 1900

Open faced pocket watch with chronograph by Ulysse Nardin
–
A rare Swiss gentleman’s pocket watch with chronograph in a waterproof Borgel case, circa 1900.
18 carat gold engine turned case with screw back and pusher for chronograph at “12”. Signed enamel dial with radial Roman hours and blued spade hands. Bridge movement, rhodium-plated, with “fausses côtes” decoration, wolfteeth winding wheels, antimagnetic screw compensation balance and Palladium balance spring.
–
Diameter: 50 mm
–
Weight: 101 g
–
Signed: Ulysse Nardin
–
François Borgel
Towards the end of the nineteenth century in Geneva, Switzerland, François Borgel set up in business making watch cases. In 1891 Borgel patented the screw watch case design that most often bears his name today, the Borgel Case. This Borgel screw case was used for Borgel pocket watches before achieving wide use during the First World War for Borgel wrist watches, often purchased by Officers to wear in the cramped conditions of thetrenches in place of the standard issue pocket watches of the day, hence the terms Borgel Officer’s watch, or Borgel trench watch.