Antique 19th Century French Judaica Verge Fusee Pocket Watch – Menorah & Lions

An exceptional, bespoke piece of 19th-century French horology showcasing profound Jewish symbolism. Following their emancipation during the French Revolution, the Jewish community in France flourished, and affluent members frequently commissioned prominent Parisian watchmakers to create custom timepieces that married cutting-edge horology with deep religious identity.

This specific watch is a masterpiece of Judaica. The exterior of the case back is adorned with a prominent Star of David (Magen David) inlaid with vibrant blue enamel, beautifully framed by meticulously hand-chased floral and foliate borders. The case back reveals an even more sacred motif: a highly detailed engraving of two Lions of Judah proudly flanking a traditional seven-branched Temple Menorah. The Lion of Judah is the ancient symbol of the Israelite tribe of Judah, representing strength and royalty, while the Menorah stands as the eternal symbol of divine light and the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. Finding both motifs preserved in such crisp detail on a single, early 19th-century watch is extraordinarily rare.

Detailed Specifications

• Maker: Michau à Paris (Prominently signed on the movement plate alongside serial number 4048)

• Origin: Paris, France

• Era: Early to Mid 19th Century

• Case Material: 18k Gold-Plated Bronze

• Case Dimensions: 45mm diameter (excluding pendant and bow)

• Exterior Motif: Deeply engraved blue enamel Star of David with floral surrounds.

• Hand-engraved Lions of Judah holding a seven-branched Menorah.

• Dial: white enamel convex dial featuring elegant, black Breguet-style Arabic numerals. Winding aperture located precisely at the 3 o’clock position.

• Hands: Original, ornate gilt hands.

• Movement: Traditional Parisian mechanical verge fusee with chain. The heavy, gilded full-plate movement features a brilliantly hand-pierced and swirling floral-engraved golden balance bridge (coq) and a silvered Tompion-style regulator dial.

• Accessories: Comes complete with a properly fitted winding and setting key.

• Operational Status: Perfect working condition. The key-wind movement operates smoothly, the delicate fusee chain is fully intact, and it keeps highly reliable time for a verge escapement of this age.

Condition Report

• Case: Exceptional antique condition. The 18k gold-plated bronze case retains a rich, warm luster. The blue enamel on the Star of David is incredibly well-preserved, and the inner Menorah engraving remains remarkably sharp without signs of over-polishing. The hinges are strong and secure.

• Dial: The white enamel dial is bright and clean, free of any distracting chips, hairlines, or repairs.

• Mechanical: The gilded plates of the movement are immaculately preserved, showing a brilliant golden tone free of oxidation. The intricate hand-engraved details on the balance bridge remain completely crisp.

Shipping & Handling This highly significant piece of Judaica and horological history is an investment-grade antiquity. It will be packaged with the utmost professional care, utilizing highly secure, tracked, and fully insured expedited international shipping to ensure its absolute safety during transit. Please thoroughly review all high-resolution macro photography provided to fully appreciate the outstanding condition, vibrant enamel artistry, and mechanical integrity of this historic bespoke watch prior to purchasing. Feel free to contact us with any questions!