Swiss silver pair of watches with gold decorations Circa 1900

Fantastically preserved Art Nouveau set
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A fantastically preserved Art Nouveau set of watches in a numbered box of mahogany with mother of pearl inlay from the World Exhibition in Paris, made by Berna Watch C^O in St Imier, Switzerland, circa 1900. The Art Nouveau cases of both watches were crafted from silver and have decorations in three different shades of gold, possibly made by Alphonse Mucha. The white enamel dials have Roman and Arabic hour numerals, subsidiary seconds dials at 6 o’clock and black hands. Both watches are equipped with a precision lever escapement, one has three adjustments and 17 jewels and screwed gold chatons.
The box is signed.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: Berna
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Berna
Founded in 1864 by Alcide Droz and Henry Perret, the Berna trademark has a rich history in Swiss watchmaking. Berna became a popular maker of timers and its operations were managed by Ernest Degoumois, reinforcing its legacy in the pre war era. Originally utilized by Droz & Cie in the 19^th century, Berna showcases the historical significance of Swiss craftsmanship in timepieces.