Swiss large enamel watch with pearls and centre second Circa 1880

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Swiss exceptionally large enamel watch with pearls and centre second Circa 1880

The white enamel dial has an outer ring with Arabic numerals for the minutes, an inner ring with Roman numerals for the hours, centre seconds and blued steel hands

The movement of this watch features a lever escapement with a false pendulum, is glazed and magnificently decorated

Kenmerk: HC0564
Diameter: 56 mm

Estimate: € 7.500 - 15.000
Price sold: € 8.915

Enamel watch made for the Chinese market
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An exceptionally large enamel watch with pearls and centre seconds, made for the Chinese market, attributed to Jacques Ullmann & Co. in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, circa 1880. The open faced case is made of gold plated silver, set with half pearls on both sides, has a portrait of a lady on the back with blue guilloché enamel in the background. The white enamel dial has an outer ring with Arabic numerals for the minutes, an inner ring with Roman numerals for the hours, centre seconds and blued steel hands. The movement of this watch features a lever escapement with a false pendulum, is glazed and magnificently decorated, with gold plating adding to its opulence. It is believed that the movement may have been powered by a Bovet calibre.
Case and movement engraved with a Chinese signature.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 133 g
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Signed: Attributed to Jacques Ullmann & Co.
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Jacques Ullmann & Co
The Jacques Ullmann & Co company was established around 1880 by Jacques Ullmann in Fleurier, with successful branches soon opening in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tientsin, Paris and Vladivostock. Jacques Ullmann worked with other makers such as Edouard Juvet, John Barwise and Tavannes Watch Co.; in 1918 he purchased the Bovet company.