Antique Niello Ware Swiss Pocket Watch

Antique niello ware Swiss pocket watch.

The watch has a 15-jewel stem-winding movement which is working nicely. The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover which has various details about the movement and also trade medals won at the Bernese-Cantonal Industrial and Commercial Exhibition in Thun in 1899.

The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The case is niello ware onto 800 silver. Niello is a black mixture, usually of sulphur, copper, silver, and lead, used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal, especially silver. It is added as a powder or paste, then fired until it melts or at least softens, and flows or is pushed into the engraved lines in the metal.

As well as being niello, there is a hunting scene to the back of the watch, with details picked out with a rose gold wash.

The case is in very nice condition.

The watch has an acrylic lens which is in good condition.

The off-white dial has a lovely look, especially with the ornate pin-set hour and minute hands. There is an old repair at numbers 4 and 5 but not immediately noticeable to the naked eye.

The watch comes in a new presentation box.

ALL PRICES INCLUDE UK POSTAGE (because of GPSR legislation, we no longer post items less than 100 years old to Europe, including Northern Ireland).

Please contact us regarding international shipping.

All of our watches are checked over before listing, and are also checked for accuracy which is usually within around +/- two to three minutes over 24 hours (unless otherwise stated), which is considered respectable for a vintage watch.

We are a VAT registered company and all purchases are covered by Consumer Regulations.

Credit / debit card purchases up to £300 can be made over the telephone on 01386 750238 or you can proceed via the 'Purchase Antique' button on each listing page. Alternatively, there is a Paypal payment link if you scroll down the page and we also accept bank transfers.

We are an on-line only business and do not have facilities for callers. Our offices are open from Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

With regards to appraisals / valuations, we receive a huge number of information requests each day and unfortunately do not have the manpower to deal with them all individually. Our advice would be to contact a local auctioneer for a full appraisal.