Swiss/Austrian pendant watch in the shape of a mandolin Circa 1810

Gold enamel and half pearls form watch by Frères Les Raffard and Hoser
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An exquisite and magnificent Swiss/Austrian gold enamel and half-pearl set Mandolin form pendant watch with a concealed dial, circa 1810. This watch is a beautiful piece of art, featuring an 18K gold case shaped like a mandolin, intricate details, multi-coloured enamel, and small Oriental pearls. The watch face displays the balance, while the back shows a music sheet. The watch is hinged and has a movement signed by J.M. Hoser in Vienna, with the serial number 2502. The original movement, a verge escapement, was later modernised to a lever escapement, chain/fusee. The watch has an enamel dial with Breguet-style radial hours, an outer minutes track, and blued steel hands. It is in excellent condition, with the back having a small restoration of the blue enamel in the rim area, and it is recommended to clean it to maintain its beauty.
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Dimensions: 70 x 28 mm
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Weight: 26 g
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Signed: Les Frères Raffard, Geneva/Hoser Vienna
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This particular version of the watch form is extremely rare due to its incredibly detailed enamelling and pearl setting. It’s often referred to as The Geneva Mandolin within collector’s circles. This name is because the stunning cases, which feature a sheet of music on the back, a pearl setting on the face, and a view of the balance, are attributed to Les Freres Raffard – a Geneva-based maker. The movements of these watches tend to have Viennese signatures.