Antique Niello Chronometre Uti Pocket Watch

Antique niello Chronometre Uti pocket watch.

The watch has a stem-winding movement which is working nicely. It is all protected by an inner hinged cover which has details of medals won at various trade exhibitions, and it also has the name Chronometre Uti. The brand name Uti was registered by Hector Levy of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland in 1905.

The watch measures 50mm diameter excluding the winding stem and the loop. The case is niello ware… 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.

The case back has a slight indention and there a patch of rubbing to the side but overall the condition is good. There is a a shield to the back of the watch containing an emblem.

The inner case back is stamped 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. There is some scratching to the inside of the case back.

The acrylic lens is in good condition.

The dial has a small chip under the centre, and a couple of short hairlines between 7 and 8.

The watch comes in a new presentation box.

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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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