Antique Memento Mori Skull Widow Pendant Pocket Watch LeCoultre 18k Gilt Silver

Presenting an exceptionally rare and historically profound antique Memento Mori pocket/pendant watch. Measuring a delicate 32mm, this lady’s timepiece was designed for mourning, featuring a striking raised skull and crossbones set against black enamel. Housed in an 18k gold-plated silver case and powered by a highly respected early LeCoultre caliber movement, this museum-quality piece is preserved in perfect mechanical condition.

Historical Context: The Latin phrase “Memento Mori” translates directly to “Remember that you must die.” During the 18th and 19th centuries, mourning was highly formalized, particularly for widows, who were expected to wear specific attire and jewelry to commemorate the passing of their husbands. Memento Mori timepieces served a dual purpose: they were functional instruments of daily life and stark, intimate reminders of human mortality and eternal devotion. Finding a Memento Mori motif on a delicate lady’s pendant watch from this era is remarkably uncommon, making this a highly significant artifact of historical mourning culture.

The Dial:

• Design: Classic white dial designed for elegance and clarity.

• Numerals: Black Roman numeral hour markers complemented by a delicate outer track with Arabic numerals (5–60) for precise minute tracking.

• Hands: Original, highly ornate gilt hands that contrast beautifully against the light background.

The Case:

• Dimensions: 32mm in diameter (excluding the crown and bow) – a perfect, wearable size for a pendant chain or chatelaine.

• Materials: Crafted from solid silver and heavily plated in 18k gold (vermeil). The inner case back bears the serial number 45043 alongside precious metal hallmarks.

• Motif (Case Back): The reverse features a deeply symbolic, applied gold-tone skull and crossbones. This emblem is mounted on an oval cartouche of black enamel and surrounded by intricate, hand-engraved floral and scroll motifs.

The Movement:

• Caliber: High-grade early Swiss mechanical manual-wind movement, recognized as a LeCoultre caliber ébauche.

• Construction: Features a beautiful, complex bridge layout with exposed gears and prominent ruby jewels, characteristic of premium Swiss watchmaking of the era.

• Condition: The movement is bright, immaculately clean, and functions perfectly, keeping accurate time.

Condition Report: This rare timepiece is in perfect antique condition. The gold plating retains a warm, rich luster with beautiful antique patina. The intricate skull and crossbones detailing is crisp and fully intact, and the black enamel provides a flawless contrast. The hinges are firm, the case closes securely, and the LeCoultre caliber movement winds smoothly and runs flawlessly.

Please carefully review all high-resolution photographs as they are an integral part of the description. This is a remarkably rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of Memento Mori 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 case. Ships worldwide with fully tracked and insured express delivery.