Swiss fully decorated lever watch in oxide intaglia Circa 1900

Pocket watch from the Four Seasons series by Mucha
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A very fine Swiss metal open faced pocket watch, which is part of the series The Four Seasons by Mucha, made by Zenith in Le Locle, circa 1900. This watch features a fully decorated oxide intaglio case with the depiction of a woman representing the Spring season after Mucha. It includes a white enamel dial with Arabic numeral hour markers, outer minute divisions, subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and gold pear shaped hands. The keyless movement has a lever escapement. Both the dial and case are signed.
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Diameter: 53 mm
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Signed: Zenith
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Oxide intaglio is a specialized technique that likely combines oxidation (forming an oxide layer on metal) and intaglio (an engraving method). It produces a deep, dark finish, often with a slight blue or purple hue, which enhances clinical performance. This method is most commonly recognized in medical wires, such as those used in stroke treatments, to improve corrosion resistance and alter the appearance from black to a subtle, shiny colour.