Here we have a fine example of luxurious Art Deco design. Dating for the late 1920s this is an eye-catching ladies pendant watch by Carl Bucherer. The case is formed of Silver, with a mesmerising Torqouise Guilloche enamel surround to the dial. To the rear is a further Guilloche enamel fan effect, with painted roses. The crown is to the bottom of the pendant and is a neat design with the coin edge finish and domed top. The pendant is designed to hang upside down, so the wearer can glance down as see the time the correct way around. The dial is a silver tone, with a clear railroad minute track and stylised Arabic numerals. It is marked with the name ‘C.Bucherer’. The hands are of square spade style, with the thermally blued finish which shines in the light.
The inside of the case back is signed ‘C.Bucherer’ with the Swiss Silver mark of a Bear and 0.925 fineness stamp. The watch has a 15 jewel Swiss lever movement inside which is manual wind. It is marked with the Bucherer name and as being adjusted to two positions. It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within a minute variation a day.
It hangs from the original Silver chain which has 12 enamelled sections which follow the same design as the work to the case. The necklace is 58cm in length, meaning it will comfortably fit around any neck, with the pendant sitting on the upper chest.
This is a very good original example of fine Guilloche enamel work which was widely used during the Art Deco period. The way in which it interacts with the light is mesmerising.
C Bucherer early history:
In 1888, Carl Friedrich Bucherer established his first boutique selling watches and jewellery in Lucerne, Switzerland. He is widely cited as one of the early adopters of the wrist watch.
In 1919, Bucherer launched his first ladies watch collection in the Art Deco style.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good original condition. The silver tone is good and even. The railroad minute track is clear, with clear Arabic numerals. The Bucherer signing is clear to the centre of the dial. There is a slight mark between 11 o’clock and the Bucherer signing.
Hands:
The hands are original and are of Square spade style. They are thermally blued and are in good, unbent condition with a bright shine to the finish. They only have some slight marks.
Glass:
The mineral crystal is a modern replacement which is a good fit. It is unmarked.
Crown:
The crown is original and is in good condition with light marks.
Case:
The case is formed of Silver and is in good original condition. It is a three piece design with snap on front, solid central section and snap on back. It has light marks and dints to the silver expected with age, along with some tarnishing. The enamel to the front is good and intact. The snap-on front and rear are tight and secure.
Caseback:
The case back is silver with the enamelled pattern and roses. The silver has some marks and tarnishing. The enamel work is good and bright with no losses or noticeable damage. It has some light marks.
Chain:
The watch comes on its original silver chain which is in good condition. It has 12 enamelled sections. The enamel work is overall in good condition. There are some slight areas of wear on some of the enamelled sections. It has a spring ring clasp.
Movement:
The movement has the calibre denomination 500. It is a 15 jewel, manual wind swiss lever movement. It is marked as being adjusted to two positions. It operates at a frequency of 18,000 BPH.
The movement has been recently serviced. It is functioning well and keeping accurate time to within +/- 60 seconds deviation a day, with an amplitude of 230 degrees and a beat error of 4.9m/s.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 24mm
Case length: 24.25mm
Case length with loop and crown: 31mm
Case Depth: 8.5mm
Chain length: 58.4cm