Antique French Occultist Memento Mori Agate “Oignon” Verge Fusee Pocket Watch

An incredibly rare, investment-grade artifact of mid-18th-century French esoteric horology, crafted circa 1750 during the Enlightenment. In pre-Revolutionary France, elite members of European hermetic orders, early Masonic lodges, and philosophical societies commissioned bespoke timepieces heavily laden with allegorical imagery. This extraordinary piece is a profound masterwork of the Memento Mori (Remember that you must die) and Tempus Fugit (Time flies) traditions. It was designed to function not merely as a timekeeper, but as a portable philosophical instrument meant to ground its owner, reminding them of the fleeting nature of earthly existence, wealth, and power.

What sets this specific timepiece apart from nearly all other surviving Memento Mori watches is its magnificent “Oignon” (onion/ball) shaped case, meticulously hand-carved from a solid block of natural Agate hardstone. Creating a hollowed, perfectly symmetrical spherical watch case from solid agate required hundreds of hours of painstaking lapidary work—a luxury reserved only for the absolute highest echelons of 18th-century society.

The Macabre Artistry & Agate Case The massive 65mm Agate case exhibits beautiful, natural crystalline banding and a high-gloss polish that has been preserved for over two and a half centuries. The stone is structurally bound by a heavy 18k gilt bronze (ormolu) frame and hinges, which are further embellished with staggering high-relief macabre medallions.

• The Front/Pendant: The very bow and pendant of the watch are cast in the shape of a remarkably detailed human skull.

• The Medallions: The hardstone case is adorned with large, deeply chased ormolu plaques. One features a winged skull resting over crossed bones with a banner reading “MEMENTO MORI”. The other displays a skull resting over crossed scythes with a banner reading “TEMPUS FUGIT”—the ultimate symbols of mortality and the relentless harvest of time.

Adding immensely to its esoteric provenance, this watch comes complete with a spectacular, matching gilt chain fob, featuring heavy linkages crafted in the shape of repeating human skulls.

The Masterwork Verge Fusee Movement The watch features a remarkably preserved, traditional French verge fusee mechanical movement. Long before the mass production of the modern lever escapement, the verge fusee was the ultimate standard for bespoke precision timekeeping. It utilizes a microscopic steel chain wrapped around a conical gear (the fusee) to perfectly equalize the waning power of the mainspring as the watch unwinds. The heavily gilded full-plate movement is protected by a magnificent, hand-pierced, and deeply chased golden balance bridge (coq), featuring intricate swirling foliate motifs. A silvered regulator dial sits beside it, allowing for fine-tuning of the timekeeping.

Detailed Specifications

• Origin: France

• Era: Mid-18th Century (c. 1750s)

• Case Material: Hand-carved and polished natural Agate hardstone with 18k Gilt Bronze (Ormolu) mounts.

• Case Style & Dimensions: Classic, thick early 18th-century French “Oignon” (ball) shape. Massive 65mm diameter.

• Case Motifs: Deep high-relief ormolu medallions featuring winged skulls, crossed bones, scythes, and banners reading “MEMENTO MORI” and “TEMPUS FUGIT”. Skull-form pendant bow.

• Dial: Pristine white enamel convex dial featuring elegant black Arabic hour numerals, rare red outer minute markers (15, 30, 45, 60), and ornate golden hands. The front-winding aperture is cleanly positioned on the right side of the dial.

• Movement: Antique mechanical verge fusee with chain, intricately pierced golden balance cock, and silvered regulator scale. Key-wind and key-set through the front dial.

• Accessories: Comes complete with a properly fitted antique winding and setting key, plus a highly rare, matching heavy gilt chain composed of individual skull links.

• Operational Status: Perfect working condition. The movement winds smoothly, the delicate fusee chain is fully intact, the balance swings with excellent amplitude, and it keeps highly reliable time for a verge escapement of this era.

Comprehensive Condition Report

• The Case: Exceptional, museum-grade antique condition. The massive 65mm Agate hardstone case is free of any major cracks, chips, or structural damage—a near miracle for a stone watch of this size and age. The 18k gilt bronze mounts retain a thick layer of ormolu gilding with a rich, warm patina. The high-relief sculptural details of the skulls and typography are incredibly sharp. The hinge is strong, and the heavy stone case closes securely.

• The Dial: The white enamel dial is in outstanding condition. It is brilliantly clean and maintains a pristine, glossy finish without any distracting chips or deep hairlines.

• The Mechanics: The gilded plates of the movement are immaculately clean and completely free of rust or corrosion. The intricate, hand-engraved details on the balance bridge remain sharp and crisp. The winding action through the front aperture is smooth and decisive.

Terms, Shipping & Handling Given its immense historical value, lapidary fragility, and extreme rarity as a mid-18th-century Agate occultist piece, this extraordinary watch and its accompanying skeletal chain will be handled with the utmost professional care. The set will be meticulously packaged in a custom crush-proof, climate-insulated container to ensure absolute safety during transit. It will be securely dispatched utilizing highly secure, tracked, and fully insured expedited international shipping (DHL Express) with required signature confirmation to guarantee its safe arrival anywhere in the world. Please thoroughly review all high-resolution macro photography provided to fully appreciate the remarkable condition, striking hardstone artistry, and mechanical integrity of this historic artifact prior to purchasing. Should you require any further technical details or historical context, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The watch comes with CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY&APPRAISAL FOR $6000

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