Swiss gold watch with convertible cabriolet case Circa 1850

Gold lever full hunter watch 
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An extremely rare, thin precision lever watch with rare convertible cabriolet case by Arthur Richard Neuchatel, circa 1850. An 18K gold, very rare case shape, which allows to wear the watch as a hunting cased watch as well as a lepine, because the inner case can be used on both sides in the outer case, both cases of very high quality, outer case with representation of a mosque, framed by floral ornaments, case maker’s mark PF, inner case also florally engraved, dome with enamelled signature, fine bar movement with extraordinary lever escapement, so called “detached lever”. Lever and escape wheel with gold chatons, key winding, enamel dial (fine hairlines), fine Breguet steel hands, very rare!
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Diameter: 50 mm
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Weight: 95 g
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Signed: Arthur Richard  Neuchatel
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This type of pocket watch was a specialty of Neuchatel’s watchmakers in the 1850’s. Another was auctioned at Antiquorum in Hong Kong in 2018, also made by a watchmaker from Neuchatel. In the 1980s, IWC launched a special model with this case shape, which is a very desired watch today!