Rare Silver Verge Fusee Pocket Watch with Day and Month Calendar, France, 1820

Rare Silver Verge Fusee Pocket Watch with Calendar and Central Seconds, France c. 1820

This rare verge fusee pocket watch, made in France around 1820, is an exceptional piece of antique horology. Crafted in silver with a generous 54 mm diameter, this watch stands out for its aesthetic and mechanical design among the pieces of its era. With a carefully crafted dial arrangement, this watch not only measures time precisely but also includes additional functions that were extremely rare for its time.

The dial is a visual delight, with a symmetrical, elegant layout that includes two subdials at the top. These subdials display a complete calendar: the left side shows the days of the month, while the right side shows the days of the week. These indicators stand out for their clarity and functionality, allowing easy and quick reading, even with the added complexity of decorative details surrounding the dials. The central seconds hand adds another touch of distinction, unusual for its time, enhancing the sophistication of the design.

The white background of the dial accentuates the contrast with the hands and subdial indicators, ensuring excellent visibility. Additionally, a decoration in bluish tones around the central time display adds a vibrant note of color, giving it character and elegance. The silver case is decorated with engravings around the edge, adding an extra touch of refinement without overloading the design. This case, with a smooth, shiny finish, has retained its splendor despite the years, showing some light marks from use that highlight its authenticity.

In terms of operation, the watch is in good working condition. The verge fusee mechanism with a verge escapement reflects the ingenuity of French watchmakers in the early 19th century, who achieved a perfect balance between precision and beauty. This mechanism, with a 54 mm diameter, is a comfortable size that allows for better appreciation of the dial details while maintaining the practical and robust feel typical of antique pocket watches.

This verge fusee watch is a perfect piece for collectors seeking unique items of high horology. Its design with a day-of-the-week and day-of-the-month calendar, along with the central seconds hand, makes it a gem of antique watchmaking, ideal for those who appreciate the historical and technical value of these pieces. With over 200 years of history, this piece embodies the legacy and excellence of French watchmaking.

Dimensions: Diameter: 54 mm.

History of Verge Fusee Watches in France

Verge fusee watches were a significant innovation in the world of horology, popularized in Europe during the 18th and early 19th centuries. In France, watchmakers adopted and refined this type of mechanism, which offered greater precision thanks to the verge fusee escapement, known as "verge fusee" in English. This technical advancement was highly valued in its time, and today it’s sought after by collectors for its complexity and durability.

During the 19th century, French watchmakers were renowned for their skill in integrating complex mechanisms into aesthetically refined designs, turning each watch into a functional work of art. Verge fusee watches were considered a luxury and reflected the social status of their owners. Today, these watches are highly valued not only for their technical quality but also for the charm of their design and the historical significance they represent. Owning a verge fusee watch in a collection is owning a piece of horology and social history from that era.