Antique Huguenin & Fils 18K Gold Pocket Watch. Switzerland, Circa 1900

Extraordinary antique Huguenin 18K gold pocket watch made in Switzerland circa 1900 and in amazing condition. The watchs casing is entirely covered by hand-engraved motifs and includes two nielloed medals at the front and rear caps. The movement has been thoroughly checked so today it works perfectly. The casing is also wonderfully preserved, like new, even though the watch is over a century old. The front cap is decorated with a gorgeous hand-engraved motif depicting a lion surrounded by climbing plants. The lion is located inside a nielloed medal whose black color makes a beautiful contrast with the golden shine of the classic floral border that frames it. On the other hand, the rear cap bears an engraved group of fruits in its corresponding nielloed circle and framed by the same border. Over these motifs, the piece that connects the crown and the casing bears a hallmark which guarantees the metals quality and authenticity. Under the front cap we find the amazing silver dial, decorated with golden-metal details and with cobalt-blue spade-shaped hands. The dial bears the printed manufacturers name in black lettering: G.A. HUGUENIN & FILS. If we take a look at the inner sides of the rear and front caps and the dustcap we will see the marks corresponding to 18K gold items made in Switzerland, as well as the serial number 127576. This serial is also engraved in the dustcap and in the watchs movement, which is protected by a glass pane and bears the manufacturers signature engraved in a lovely cursive lettering. Every lover and collector of special old-time watchs will find a real treasure in this extraordinary antique Huguenin 18K gold pocket watch. Dimensions: Width: 54 mm. Weight: 139 g.Huguenin et Fils History The Swiss company G. A. Huguenin et Fils started out in 1857, when Fritz Huguenin founded a company together with his brother Albert to decorate pocket watch cases. In 1888 began to manufacture medals and engraved plates too. The Huguenin brothers specialized in nielloed-silver pieces. In 1899 the firm moved to a new location in Route Bellevue, 32, Le Locle. In the early 20th century, the company was taken over by the three sons of Fritz Huguenin Huguenin (Georges-Fritz, Henri-Edouard y Paul-Auguste): in 1013 they registered the Nielaschef brand name. In 1932 the company changed its name for Huguenin Frères & Cie, and in 1955 the branch dedicated to the manufacture of watch cases was sold to another company. Then the companys relationship with the watchmaking industry came to an end; from then on and to our days, Huguenin just makes medals, trophies and insignias.