CATREX - Open-Face Ornate Gilt Fob - 1960-1969

Introduction

A delightful vintage Catorex Swiss pendant pocket watch in an open-face style, presenting a champagne-gold sunburst dial signed 'CATOREX' beneath a crown logo, with blued-steel hands and Roman numeral hour markers set on an ornately engraved chapter ring. The heavily chased gold-tone case features elaborate floral and scroll relief work on the bezel and mid-band, with a decorative cartouche bow and ring at the crown, and the hinged caseback — when opened — reveals a beautifully finished manual-wind movement. This is a ladies' or fob-style timepiece intended to be worn on a chain or chatelaine, measuring 32 mm across the case body and weighing 25 g.

Historical / Era context

Catorex was a Swiss watch brand producing decorative small-format pocket and pendant watches, typically in gold-tone cases with painted or enamel-style casebacks featuring romantic pastoral scenes in the tradition of 18th-century French court miniatures. The caseback of this example carries a charming hand-painted-style scene depicting two figures in period costume in a garden setting, a hallmark of Swiss souvenir and gift-market watches produced from the mid-20th century onward. The manually wound movement is signed 'CATOREX' on the nicely finished damascened plate, fitted with red jewel bearings, and the three-piece case construction with decorative bow is typical of Swiss fob watches of this period. This style of ornate gilt fob watch was popular across Europe and Asia as a gift and collector's piece.

Condition

The watch is running and keeping good time. The watch was checked lying flat (dial up) after a full wind. This is a spot check at the time of listing; as a vintage mechanical watch the rate in actual wear varies with position and winding state, and long-term accuracy is not guaranteed. As a vintage timepiece it may benefit from a service.

Case: The case surfaces show light to moderate scattered fine scratches on the bezel rim and mid-band consistent with gentle handling and storage. Some areas of the gold-tone finish on the bezel show minor wear, most visibly on the raised relief edges. The bow and ring are intact and secure. The caseback exterior retains its decorative enamel-style pastoral scene in good condition with no chips or lifting noted. Overall the case presents well for its age.

Dial: The champagne-gold sunburst dial is clean and legible with no staining, spotting, or printing losses observed. The Roman numerals on the chapter ring are crisp and the 'CATOREX' brand signature and crown logo are clearly readable. The blued-steel hands are intact and free of damage.

Crystal: The domed acrylic crystal is present and intact. There are light surface scratches visible across the crystal face consistent with normal vintage wear, but no cracks or chips.

Movement: The watch is running. With the caseback opened, the movement is visible: it is a manually wound Swiss lever movement signed 'CATOREX' on the nicely finished, engine-turned (damascened) mainplate, fitted with red synthetic jewel bearings and a ratchet wheel wind system. The movement parts are clean with no obvious damage or corrosion observed.

Accessories: No chain, box, or papers are included. The watch is offered as pictured.

Please review all photographs carefully for the detailed condition.

Specifications

Brand: CATREX
Model: CATOREX
Movement: Manual winding mechanical movement
Case material: Chromed
Case diameter: approx. 32 mm
Total length including crown: approx. 38.9 mm
Total length including crown and ring: approx. 44.1 mm
Dial color: Gold
Period: 1960-1969
Weight: approx. 25 g
Accessories: None (watch only)
In working order: Yes
Timekeeping: keeping good time (checked lying flat after a full wind)

Closing note

This charming Catorex Swiss fob watch is an appealing piece for collectors of decorative pendant watches, combining an ornate chased case, a romantic painted caseback scene, and a running Swiss movement in a compact and elegant package. Please examine all photographs carefully as they form part of the description.
As with all vintage timepieces, please examine the provided photographs carefully to satisfy yourself with the condition before bidding. The watch is sold as a vintage collectible; water resistance and future maintenance are not guaranteed.
The item is carefully packed and shipped from Japan with tracking.
Import duties, taxes and customs charges are the buyer's responsibility.