Swiss gold open faced skeleton pocket watch Circa 1850

Gold open faced keyless lever skeleton watch
–
A fine Swiss 18 carat yellow gold open faced skeleton pocket watch made by Marius LeCoultre in Geneva, 19th century. This watch has a mechanical crown winding manual movement with fully skeletonized construction and a lever escapement, signed Marius LeCoultre Geneva. The skeletonized central dial is surrounded by a prominent white enamel outer disk showing painted black Arabic numerals arranged in a 24 hour display, an outer minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and blued steel pear shaped hands. The timepiece is housed in a round 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case with a transparent exhibition glass case back showcasing the intricate mechanics. It features a fluted winding crown and a sturdy round suspension bow.
–
Diameter: 53 mm
–
Weight: 110 g
–
Signed: Marius LeCoultre Geneva
–
Marius LeCoultre was a highly distinguished 19th century Swiss watchmaker and retailer who operated a prominent boutique at Rue Francois Bonivard 8 in Geneva. He took over the family firm originally established by his father Eugene Constant LeCoultre around the 1840s. Marius elevated the business through his exceptional mastery of horological complications. Operating independently in Geneva, his workshop specialized in creating prestigious high grade pocket watches, including minute repeaters, perpetual calendars, and precision chronographs tailored for an elite international clientele.
–
Renowned for his technical innovation, LeCoultre made significant advancements in horology. He secured an 1889 Swiss patent for an ingenious bezel winding mechanism used in the iconic spherical Boules de Geneve pendant watches. His workshop was celebrated for its mastery of retrograde date complications and decorative arts. It often executed intricate skeletonized movements that blended flawless mechanical engineering with luxurious aesthetic design. His horological achievements earned prestigious accolades, including an honorable mention at the 1887 Geneva Chronometer Contest and widespread international acclaim when his finest masterpieces were showcased at the 1893 Worlds Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Today, timepieces signed by Marius LeCoultre are highly coveted by collectors globally as exceptional examples of vintage Genevan haute horlogerie.