Unknown - 1850-1900

Historical Swiss Centre-Seconds-Chronograph Pocket Watch – gold-plated case – ca. 1900

For sale is a large historical Swiss pocket watch with a centre-seconds chronograph, presumably dating from around 1900.

The white enamel dial bears the inscription “CENTRE SECONDS CHRONOGRAPH – SPECIALLY EXAMINED – SWISS MADE.” Particularly striking are the outer 25–300 scale and the large central chronograph hand.

The mechanical Swiss movement is key-wound. The chronograph or central seconds hand can be started and stopped via the side lever.

The watch is functional and runs. A winding key is not included in the delivery.

The elaborately designed case is gold-plated and features on the back a decorative historicist embellishment with a central cartouche. Inside the case is the characteristic mark “B – W – ★” in three shields. This mark is documented on historic Swiss pocket watch cases; the exact case maker is not clearly known today.

Details

- Origin: Switzerland
- Type: Centre-Seconds-Chronograph / Pocket watch
- Dating: probably around 1900
- Diameter: approx. 55.8 mm, excluding crown and bow
- Total weight: approx. 122 g
- Case: gold-plated
- Dial: white enamel with Roman numerals
- Outer chronograph scale: 25–300
- Inscription: “Specially Examined – Swiss Made”
- Mechanical Swiss movement
- Watch functions and runs
- Key-wound
- Winding key not included
- Case hallmark: B – W – ★
- Case back with decorative engraving and free monogram cartouche

The watch is in a historical condition corresponding to its considerable age. The gold plating shows wear and signs of use, particularly on areas of heavier contact. Please judge the dial, case, and movement from the detail photos.

An interesting and decorative large Swiss chronograph pocket watch from the turn-of-the-century period.

Note on material: A definitive precious-metal fineness hallmark could not be determined. The case is therefore conservatively described as gold-plated.