430 - CALAME FRERES

CALAME FRERES An exceptional and rare 18k yellow gold (750) pocket watch with a mechanical movement. - Round case, Empire-style bezel, double guilloché caseback inscribed with “Maison Calame Frères,” and a case back entirely guilloché in a barley-grain pattern featuring the coat of arms of Napoleon III. - Fully guilloché gold dial, large central seconds hand, two sub-dials each displaying hours and minutes, black-painted Roman numerals, blued steel leaf-shaped hands. Case No. 28887 and JK-FB in an oval, double horse’s head (1838–1919), and a hallmark with three chevrons resembling a military insignia. Exceptional movement with two balance wheels and two large mainsprings; one of the two movements drives the central seconds hand, in the style of resonance-movement watches. Marked “LCS” within an elongated oval. Bears a “CH. HENRY” inscription on the case back. Diameter: 50 mm Gross weight: 112.49 g Comes with its key. (Case back broken) According to family tradition, this watch was reportedly given by Napoleon III to a member of the family, a Surgeon General. Good overall condition, normal wear and tear, broken hinge. The watch was not functioning at the time of appraisal; a service is recommended.