Antique Leonidas Niello Cased Pocket Watch

Antique Leonidas niello cased pocket watch.

The watch has a good quality stem-winding movement, signed Leonidas, which is working nicely. The movement is protected by an inner hinged cover.

The watch measures 48mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The niello case has a wood grain pattern. Niello is a black mixture, usually of sulphur, copper, silver, and lead, used as an inlay on engraved or etched metal, especially silver, as this particular watch. 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. The case is in good condition, just a little rubbing in places.

There are Continental silver marks inside the two case backs along with the mark Niel HF, this is the mark of Huguenin Freres of Le Locle, Switzerland. They were well known jewellers and watch case makers, as well as manufacturers of some of the early Olympic medals. They were one of the most prolific producers of niello cases throughout the Art Nouveau and Art Deco eras.

The acrylic lens is in good condition.

The dial is in its original part textured finish. There is a little wear to some of the numbers and a little light marking but overall it is very acceptable for an antique piece and it has a charming appearance. Blued steel hands.

The watch comes in a new presentation box.

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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.

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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.