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two gold pocket watches sitting side by side on a white surfacea gold pocket watch with roman numerals on the facean image of a gold beaded purse on a white backgroundan antique gold pocket watch with a chain hanging from it ' s side
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226 - WEBER FRÈRES, PARIS No. 18016 Mid-19th century 18k yellow go…
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Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
Sale commission
Description
WEBER FRÈRES, PARIS No. 18016 Mid-19th century 18k yellow gold (750) pocket watch Round case, the back adorned with a relief motif depicting a scallop shell, gold dial, signed. Silver guilloché dial, Roman numerals, apple-shaped hands, signed. Mechanical movement. Diameter: 42 mm Gross weight: 52.50 g. Highly fashionable in the mid-18th century, the scallop shell motif enjoyed a significant resurgence in popularity in decorative watchmaking during the second half of the 19th century. With its particularly sculptural case, adorned with small gold beads forming a stylised shell, this neoclassical watch follows in the tradition of devotional objects and pieces inspired by travel or pilgrimage. Our example bears a resemblance to a watch held in the British Museum’s collections under inventory number 1958,1201.443. Made in Paris around 1840 and subsequently bequeathed to the museum in 1958, this watch with a beaded gold case featuring a scallop shell motif comes from the former collection of Courtenay Adrian Ilbert (1888–1956), a renowned watch connoisseur who assembled one of the most significant collections of watches ever amassed by a private collector. The goldsmith’s work on the case of this Parisian watch, as well as its proportions, bear interesting similarities to our example signed Weber Frères. Prestigious Parisian houses, such as Leroy et Fils, ‘Horloger du Roi’, also produced watches around 1840 with richly crafted cases adorned with stylised shell motifs. CONDITION REPORT: Movement requires servicing (visible traces of rust and signs of damp). Case well preserved, with normal wear and scratches. Dial shows visible discolouration (moisture). Hands show visible signs of deterioration (oxidation). Plexiglass has a visible chip at 5 o’clock. Several watchmaker’s markings on the case back. Servicing recommended. Please note that all watches are sold as is. No guarantee is given as to their working condition. Most watches have been opened to identify the type and quality of the movement, including water-resistant models. Buyers are advised to consult a watchmaker to check the watch’s water resistance. Any information provided regarding restoration, damage or the condition of the watch remains subject to the buyer’s own judgement. The absence of any indication of replacement parts, restoration or damage does not in any way imply that an item is free from any existing defects. All items presented may have undergone previous servicing and may contain non-original parts. The dimensions and weight of the items are given as approximate figures.
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About the sale Summer Selection: Jewellery & Watches
Auction location
Auction time 07/03/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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