Antique BEAUCOURT Swiss Pocket Watch – Enamel Ottoman Mosque Dial, 6 Rubis, 45mm

This is a rare 19th-century Swiss BEAUCOURT pocket watch, crafted for export to the Ottoman Empire. These timepieces were specially commissioned for wealthy merchants, diplomats, and aristocrats in the region, blending Swiss precision watchmaking with Islamic-inspired artistry.

The dial features a fine enamel scene of the Bosphorus, complete with Ottoman-era mosques and minarets, capturing the grandeur of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) during the late Ottoman period. Such decorative dials were highly prized status symbols, often presented as gifts or worn as symbols of wealth and prestige.

Key Features

• Maker: BEAUCOURT (Swiss) – clearly signed on movement and case
• Movement: Key-wind mechanical, 6 Rubis (6 jewels)
• Dial: fine enamel scene of Ottoman mosques along the Bosphorus
• Case: Engine-turned silvered, marked and serialized 6509, inner lid engraved 6 Rubis
• Size: 45.07 mm diameter
• Condition:
  • Movement appears complete and winds but accuracy is untested – selling as-is
  • Enamel dial is in very good antique condition with only light wear
  • Case shows expected signs of wear consistent with age

Historical Context

During the mid-to-late 19th century (c. 1860–1880), Swiss watchmakers such as BEAUCOURT, Le Phare, and Jürgensen produced ornate pocket watches specifically for the Ottoman market. These pieces often featured Islamic motifs, mosque scenes, and Arabic numerals to appeal to local tastes.

They were luxury goods, frequently purchased by merchants, diplomats, and officials within the Ottoman Empire, and are now highly sought after by collectors for their artistic enamel work and cultural significance.

Measurements

• Case Diameter: 45.07 mm
• Depth: Approx. 15 mm

Shipping & Handling

• Secure packaging with tracked worldwide shipping
• Combined shipping available on multiple purchases