Antique Late 18thC French Silver Mandolin Verge Fusee Pocket Watch 18k Gold Dial

Offered for your consideration is an extraordinary and exceptionally rare late 18th-century French  pocket watch crafted in the exquisite form of a mandolin. During the Georgian era, master watchmakers in France and Geneva pushed the boundaries of micro-mechanics and artistic design, creating “form watches” (montres à forme) shaped like musical instruments, skulls, flowers, and animals for the European aristocracy.

This magnificent timepiece is signed on the movement by the maker Nicod, located at Rue des Peres No 25, a classic Parisian or French provincial horological address of the period. Musical instrument form watches were prized status symbols among elite patrons of the arts, combining high horology with breathtaking decorative sculpture. Surviving examples from the 1700s in such remarkable preservation are true museum-grade treasures.

Detailed Specifications & Condition Report

The Mandolin-Shaped Silver Case

• Dimensions & Form: The watch measures an impressive 10 cm in total length, perfectly capturing the graceful proportions of a miniature mandolin.

• Case Details: Fashioned from solid silver, the case features a remarkably detailed execution, complete with an extended fingerboard, frets, a carved pegbox terminating in a suspension ring, and a realistic soundboard decorated with simulated strings and a rosette sound hole.

• Hinged Design: The body opens smoothly to reveal the inner dial and movement compartment, retaining its original structural integrity and secure clasp.

The Solid 18k Gold & Enamel Dial

• Dial Architecture: A true work of art, the dial features a rich, solid 18k gold center adorned with fine engine-turned guilloché texturing and hand-engraved floral motifs.

• Enamel Cartouches: Time is indicated via individual, raised white enamel cartouche plaques bearing black Arabic numerals for the hours (1 through 12).

• Hands: Fitted with delicate, hand-finished antique blued steel hands that sweep gracefully over the gold face.

The Verge Fusee Movement

• Mechanics: Powering this historical marvel is a traditional late 18th-century French verge fusee escapement movement, driven by an internal chain and conical fusee barrel to ensure uniform power delivery.

• Artistic Finishing: The movement bridge is a masterpiece of openwork brass, featuring a beautifully hand-pierced and engraved balance bridge (coq) filled with delicate scrolling foliage.

• Signatures & Serialization: The upper movement plate is clearly hand-engraved with the maker’s signature “Nicod” and the workshop address “Rue des Peres No 25”.

• Operating Condition: This historical timepiece is in wonderful, perfect working order, running smoothly and keeping time as expected for an antique verge escapement.

Accessories

• Winding Key: A properly fitted winding key is included to operate the movement and set the time.

Terms of Sale This museum-quality antique  timepiece is a functioning piece of 18th-century horological history and is sold exactly as photographed. Please review all high-resolution images carefully, as they form a definitive part of the description.