Antique HEBDOMAS 8-Day Pocket Watch Engraved Silver Visible Escapement 39mm Mint

Presenting an exceptional antique Hebdomas “8 Jours” (8-Day) pocket watch, renowned for its visible balance wheel and remarkable extended power reserve. Housed in a beautifully hand-engraved silver case measuring 39.3mm, this early 20th-century timepiece is a masterpiece of Swiss mechanical ingenuity and is preserved in perfect working condition.

Historical Context: The Hebdomas 8-day watch is one of the most distinctive and celebrated designs in horological history. Originally patented in the late 19th century, the design was perfected by Schild & Co. in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. To achieve the extraordinary 8-day power reserve, the watch utilizes a massive mainspring barrel that spans the entire diameter of the movement. To accommodate this, the balance wheel and escapement were ingeniously relocated to the front of the dial, creating the iconic “visible escapement” (Levées Visibles) that became the brand’s signature. The highly decorated mainspring cover on this specific watch proudly displays exhibition medals from Milan (1906) and Brussels (1910), accurately dating this piece to the 1910s.

The Dial:

• Design: Flawless white enamel dial featuring the signature Hebdomas cutaway at the bottom to showcase the oscillating balance wheel and highly engraved gilt balance bridge.

• Accents: Embellished with delicate, applied silver foil floral motifs and a minute track formed of applied silver dots.

• Signatures: Clearly signed “8 JOURS” on the left and “HEBDOMAS” on the right.

• Hands & Numerals: Classic black Arabic numerals (1-12) paired with original blued steel spade-style hands.

The Case:

• Dimensions: 39.3mm in diameter (excluding the crown and bow), a versatile and highly wearable mid-size dimension.

• Engravings: The silver case boasts spectacular, deep hand-engraved scenes. One surface features a magnificent, highly detailed horse surrounded by lush floral motifs, while the other displays a beautiful romantic landscape with a village and castle turret.

• Markings: The inner case back is stamped with the serial number 262.

The Movement:

• Caliber: Original Swiss mechanical manual-wind 8-Day movement.

• Mainspring Barrel: The massive gilt mainspring barrel cover is a work of art in itself, deeply stamped with “8 JOURS”, “ANCRE”, “Levées Visibles”, “Spiral Breguet”, “GARANTIE”, and “INTERCHANGEABLE”, encircled by numerous universal exhibition medals.

• Condition: The movement is in perfect working order, winding smoothly and transferring sustained power to the visible escapement exactly as designed.

Condition Report: This antique Hebdomas is in exceptional, collector-grade condition. The enamel dial is pristine, free of hairlines or chips, and the applied silver foil accents remain bright and intact. The profusely engraved silver case retains deep, crisp detailing with a beautiful antique patina. The watch operates perfectly, keeping accurate time and showcasing the mesmerizing motion of the exposed balance wheel.

Please carefully review all high-resolution photographs as they are an integral part of the description. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a pristine, perfectly functioning example of Hebdomas horological history.

Shipping & Handling: Item will be securely double-boxed and packaged with the utmost care to ensure the safe transit of the antique mechanical movement and delicate enamel dial. Ships worldwide with fully tracked and insured express delivery.