C.1890 A. Ecalle, Paris open face pocket watch with complete calendar moonphases, glass back and small sec enamel dial in 18KPG

Description

Vintage. No box or paper.

A very fine open face pocket watch signed by A Ecalle Paris. The movement is unsigned and possibly a Swiss made export for the French market. This is a very high quality make, jewelled (chaton set) to the center and is visible under an extra internal glass cover. The case maker is stamped JL and numbered.

Auguste Ecalle was located at 93-94 Palais Royal, Galerie Beaujolais in Paris and active from 1880-90. He was known for his work on precision timekeepers and chronometers, and was the agent for Dent (A famous English watch & clock maker).

Like cars, watches in the past centuries were made by several sources and never entirely in-house. The watch maker usually produces the movement only, there are case makers, dial makers and hands makers. Even the crowns and straps or bracelets were made by specialists and the watch maker will assemble it at their facility. Then there is the retailer who will handle the branding and orders parts to be assembled for them and this was how Rolex started out by Hans Wilsdorf and his partner Alfred Davies.

The kiln fired white enamel dial is in near perfect condition with black Roman numerals & railway track minute divisions with a small seconds. This is topped by a pair of matching Moon style hands in gold. The solid 18K pink gold case is in excellent condition throughout with original bow and crown. The hinges on this watch are very tight, like new and case shape in perfect condition without dents nor any major scratches. The date on this watch engages the months on the 31st and this function predates many watches with calendar by more than half a century which is quite a feat on it’s own. It does not take into account of 30th or 28/9 for February as those are for annual and perpetual calendar functions.

This watch weighs a hefty 108 grams. All complications work by depressing the levers found on the edge of the dial that can be assessed from opening the bezel cover. This particular specimen is desirable as there is a small seconds to it when most other makers of such complications lack the seconds feature. This is a watch to be seen and held to appreciate its value.

A very high quality complicated pocket watch for a small price.