Montre de Poche Automate à « Faux Pendule » – Tête de Cheval – Acier Bruni – Circa 1900 - 1900-1949

Rare Automaton Pocket Watch with a “Faux Pendule” – Horse Head – Burnished Steel – Circa 1900

Remarkable antique mechanical pocket watch from the Belle Époque, circa 1900, featuring an original mechanical animation known as a “faux pendule” (false pendulum).

The piece’s hallmark is a circular pierced aperture at 6 o’clock, revealing a brass automaton depicting a raised horse head. When the watch runs, this animation swings continuously from left to right, visually reproducing the motion of a balance wheel. This animated complication lends a singular character to this antique timepiece.

The enamel dial showcases a polychrome decorative composition inspired by Art Nouveau and Orientalist motifs, with a pagoda at the top, allegorical figures, and floral designs. The hours are indicated by black Arabic numerals on a central disk, accompanied by fine period hands.

The case, in burnished steel, presents a dark finish characteristic of antique pocket watches, subtly contrasting with the gold-brass crown and bow. The interior of the case bears the number 32520 and a workshop mark stamped “H.” Delicate handwritten inscriptions also attest to prior horological interventions.

The watch is powered by a manual-wind mechanical movement of the Roskopf type, equipped with a regulator staff labeled “Avance” and “Retard.”

An original antique horological piece, particularly interesting for collectors of animated-complication pocket watches and Belle Époque horological curiosities.

Technical specifications

* Type: Mechanical pocket watch with automaton
* Era: Circa 1900
* Style: Belle Époque, Art Nouveau
* Movement: Manual-wind mechanical
* Movement type: Roskopf
* Special feature: Mechanical animation known as “faux pendule”
* Automaton: Brass horse head visible at 6 o’clock
* Dial: Enamel with polychrome decorative design and Arabic numerals
* Decoration: Pagoda, allegorical figures, and floral motifs
* Case: Burnished steel
* Crown and bow: Gold-brass
* Diameter: Approximately 46 mm
* Inner number: 32520
* Stamp: Workshop mark “H”
* Regulation: Regulator with “Avance / Retard” indications

Condition and operation

Mechanical condition: Very good functioning on testing. The movement winds correctly and the horse-head animation swings smoothly and regularly.

Aesthetic condition: Pleasant vintage condition with patina consistent with the watch’s age.

* Case: Burnished steel with a uniform dark patina, no major wear reported.
* Dial: Polychrome decoration well preserved, with a distinctive visual composition.
* Automaton: Animation functional during tests.
* Movement: Historic mechanism with original regulator staff.

The photographs are an integral part of the description and allow appreciation of the actual condition of this piece.