I am not usually one to deal with pocket watches of this type and age, but when I saw this example, so extraordinarily beautiful and well preserved, I simply could not resist acquiring it to offer it to my clients.
We are looking at a small masterpiece of Swiss watchmaking from the late 19th / early 20th century, made by Invicta, a maison that at the time produced highly complicated timepieces intended for an extremely exclusive clientele.
The hunter case is made of 14-karat gold, featuring refined guilloché decoration, and has an impressive diameter of approximately 59 mm, with a total weight of around 129.5 grams. The inside of the caseback bears the medals awarded to the manufacturer in 1895/96, as well as the model name “Invicta”.
The true highlight of this watch, however, is its extraordinary array of complications: a chronograph, quarter-hour repeater with a two-gong striking mechanism, a full calendar displaying the date, day of the week and month, as well as a moon-phase indication and subsidiary seconds.
The movement, visible through a protective glass, is of sophisticated construction and features a Swiss lever escapement, a compensation balance, a Breguet hairspring and 16 jewels.
Considering the age of the watch, its state of preservation is truly remarkable. The dial is exceptionally well preserved, with no evident cracks or fractures; the movement is functioning, and the 14-karat gold case, despite showing some normal signs of use, still retains an excellent overall appearance.
Watches such as this were intended for a very wealthy clientele. At the time, incorporating so many complications into a single pocket watch represented a demonstration of considerable technical expertise and came at an extremely high cost.
A fascinating timepiece not only for its aesthetics, but above all for its rarity and mechanical complexity. An important choice for the experienced pocket-watch collector, but also an extraordinary way to enter this fascinating world with a truly special first example.