ABOUT:
Amazing Sparkle! I'm crazy for this one! OVER 150 Antique Rose Cut DIAMONDS totaling around 3 1/2 carats (estimated!)
This striking French Victorian era antique pocket watch case would make the most beautiful pendant for your #neckmess or #neckstack. Crafted in solid silver with rose gold vermeil, it is decorated with tons of small but chunky rose cut diamonds. Even the rim around the watch face, the neck and the swiveling little scalloped bale is diamond encrusted on both sides so all angles have sparkle.
Comes as pictured in an antique box not original to the piece, but sought after and collectible all the same. It deserves fancy housing : ). The box is from England, meant for a bigger watch but I thought the sought after domed shape and vibrant purple silk interior provide a nice backdrop to the piece : )
The piece has the most amazing texture because the diamonds are not the tiny thinly sliced inset discs that we often see. Instead they are the crowned or dutch rose cuts which actually dome up and out from their flat backs - really putting "crusty" (in a great way!) to the term diamond encrusted. It is so striking.
It also has a nice engraved provenance with some initials and the date in French for October 15, 1910 so we know its exact age.
NOTE that the inside watch mechanism does not work and is covered in rust so it is repairable as a time piece. I am selling it As Is - the watch could be removed to wear the piece as a shaker locket, or worn as it is, as an amazing pendant with the clock facing the back. Sold as is.
It is hallmarked with the French hallmark for solid silver inside along with a serial number and maker's mark inside the case. However the piece actually appears gold with a warm yellow gold crown and a rose gold rim. Since I can not find a gold hallmark it is likely gold vermeil as it is stamped only for silver. Very dark patina around the diamonds so they are definitely set in silver.
Chain in photos is not included. Please note the measurements as I have small hands and it can be difficult to decipher scale from photos.
This is a Smaller Size pocket watch, would have been a ladies watch on a chatelaine or watch chain.
MEASUREMENTS:
About 33mm to the top of the loop by 22mm tall by 10mm deep. It weighs a sturdy 13.3 grams with the watch mechanism is inside.
There are over 150 diamonds in varying sizes, some teeny tiny. The largest center rose cut is about 5.5mm so probably around 1/3 carat alone. The majority of the others on the cover and on the rim around the clock face are 1.5 to 2mm each with teeny diamonds on the neck and both sides of the bale. It would be impossible to calculate an exact carat weight as I would never remove the stones and depths would vary. But using estimates by millimeter it comes to at least 3 1/2 carats.
IMPORTANT CONDITION DETAILS:
All my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition considering age. As mentioned the watch mechanism is inside and does not work. It has rust and buildup inside when you open the engraved cover. I am selling the case as is, as a pendant. There is also some rust around the watch hands on the clock face.
These always need gentler wear due to the many many stones set into the antique setting and all the hinges and glass and old bead prongs. But this one especially with all the tiny diamonds individually set - it needs gentle handling. There is one stone missing on the cover at the very top center and a few tiny diamond chips missing on the top of the bale from rubbing against a chain. There are some nicks to the stones but they look like amazing, period appropriate rough cut diamonds, so moody and fabulous with their hand cut irregular shapes and crowned facets. The diamonds appear foil backed unless they are just set into the white silver, where the center stone is especially reflective. Several of the other stones have warm hues from age to the closed back. Typical antique rose cuts with some natural inclusions, rough edges, small nibbles and frosty spots, much of this may have always been that way. With varying hues from stone to stone.
As with all my items - Please see photos closely as this is not a mint condition item. I would think with a lot of opening and closing and Soooo many small stones, it would be quite easy for the piece to lose additional diamonds over time so again - very gentle wear and handling.
I dearly love, collect, wear and sell antique jewelry and enjoy matching these little pieces of history with loving homes.
Thanks for stopping by!
SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )
Box#Q.32$
