Antique French Occultist Memento Mori Skull Verge Fusee Pocket Watch and Chain

An incredibly rare, museum-quality artifact of late 18th-century French esoteric horology, crafted circa 1770 during the height of the Enlightenment. During this period in pre-Revolutionary France, elite members of European hermetic orders, Rosicrucians, and early Masonic lodges frequently commissioned bespoke timepieces heavily laden with allegorical, philosophical imagery. This extraordinary piece is a profound masterwork of the Memento Mori (Remember that you must die) tradition. It was designed to function not merely as a timekeeper, but as a portable philosophical instrument to remind its owner of the fleeting nature of earthly existence and the inevitability of death.

The substantial 46mm case, crafted from 18k gilt bronze (ormolu), is an absolute triumph of macabre bas-relief sculpture. The entire case back is densely covered in a startlingly realistic, high-relief cluster of human skulls, reminiscent of the famous Catacombs of Paris which were being consecrated around the same era. The perimeter band of the case continues the theme, encircled by further meticulously chased skulls. Timepieces bearing this specific, overwhelming level of macabre artistry are exceedingly scarce and highly coveted by serious collectors of antiquities and Masonic artifacts.

Adding to its esoteric provenance, this watch comes complete with an extraordinary, matching Memento Mori chain and fob, featuring linkages crafted in the shape of human femur bones terminating in a double-skull T-bar and a suspended full-skeleton pendant.

The Masterwork Verge Fusee Movement The watch features a remarkably preserved, traditional French verge fusee mechanical movement signed by the prominent Parisian maker, Sarazin. 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 Tompion-style regulator dial sits beside it, allowing for fine-tuning of the timekeeping. The movement is signed “Sarazin à Paris” with the serial number N. 116.

Detailed Specifications

• Maker: Sarazin à Paris (Signed on the movement plate)

• Era: Late 18th Century (c. 1770s)

• Case Material: 18k Gilt Bronze (Traditional French Ormolu finish)

• Case Dimensions: 46mm diameter (excluding pendant and bow)

• Case Motifs: Deep high-relief carvings on the case back and perimeter band featuring a dense cluster of realistic skulls.

• Dial: Pristine white enamel convex dial featuring elegant black Arabic numerals and an outer minute track. The front-winding aperture is cleanly positioned at the 2 o’clock position.

• Hands: Elaborate, deeply pierced and carved original hands in a magnificent Louis XV style.

• 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 gilded Memento Mori bone-link chain, double-skull T-bar, and full-skeleton pendant fob.

• 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 antique condition. The 18k gilt bronze case retains a beautiful, thick layer of ormolu gilding with a rich, warm patina. The high-relief sculptural details of the numerous skulls are incredibly sharp. They have not been smoothed down by centuries of over-polishing, allowing the dramatic esoteric artwork to command attention. The hinges are tight, and the covers snap shut securely.

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

• The Mechanics: The gilded plates of the movement are immaculately clean and completely free of rust or corrosion. The hand-engraved signature (“Sarazin à Paris”) and the intricate 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 and rarity as an 18th-century occultist presentation 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 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 high-relief artwork, and mechanical integrity of this historic Memento Mori 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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