Swiss 18K yellow gold pocket watch with chain Circa 1900

Gold open faced lever watch
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A Swiss 18 carat yellow gold open faced pocket watch with matching chain, circa 1900. It has a hand wound mechanical movement with lever escapement. The champagne toned guilloché dial is signed NE VARIETUR and features black Arabic numerals for the primary hours (1–12), an inner ring of smaller numerals for the 24 hour scale (13–24), a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, a railway minute track, and blued steel hands. The round 18 carat yellow gold case, including the inner dust cover (cuvette), is smoothly polished. The watch is topped with a fluted crown and a rounded bow at 12 o’clock. It comes with a matching 18 carat yellow gold watch chain measuring 405 mm and weighing 29.2 g.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Weight: 67.8 g
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Signed: NE VARIETUR
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Condition: Minor dents and slight wear to the case; small accident to the chain links.
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Ne Varietur
The term Ne Varietur is a Latin phrase meaning, it must not be changed, often used in legal and official contexts. In horology, it was used as a brand name by the Swiss firm Zénith (Georges Favre-Jacot) and other makers in the Le Locle region during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It signified a standard of production in which the moving parts were standardised and “not to be altered,” ensuring reliability and ease of service. Watches bearing this mark from this period typically represent high quality Swiss engineering intended for the international luxury market.