Description:

Leon Sichel, Chaux-de-Fonds (1850-1885) 47mm 21J lever set (LS) pocket watch, case #2246, elegant nickel bridge layout movement with an fancy bridge layout, steel winging gears & regulator, an unusual oversized center wheel upper jewel setting and a wide-bar damascene pattern, possibly this movement was in a transition phase from key wind to the current pendant wind and the custom fit jewel setting was used to adapt the original key set time post to the new use, mint single sunk (SS) porcelain enamel dial with Roman numerals and a black-marked subsidiary seconds register is marked "Leon Sichel, Chaux-de-Fonds", purple steel spade & whip style hands.

Amazing 14k (hallmarked & tested) heavy box-hinge drum-style hunting case (HC) with flat smooth polish covers finished with a ring of floral & geometric designs on the bezels, one side has a large fancy monogram, possibly "PW" while the reverse is free of center decoration, flat-wall bezel sides with extruded rims sit flush with the elaborately engraved frame supporting a stippled pattern behind slightly raised faceted stars & diamonds, at 12 & 6 o'clock on the covers are sculpted extrusions, engraved with swirls & triangles, that line up with matching heavy sculpted shoulders and frame base, which are also engraved with stippled & star designs, to create the box-hinge style, recessed hinges that are worked into the heavy frame base design, a heavy sculpted pendant, a large heavy bow, a glass crystal-set bezel between the dust cover & movement in order to view the movement without introducing dust or debris and a glass crystal over the dial.

Case is showing light normal wear with a bit of smoothing on the bezel engraving, some small spots of notable scuffing from wear on the back cover & bow and a pair of discolored spots near the bottom of the monogram, possibly from an acid test that was not properly cleaned off, measures approx. 54mm in diameter x 81mm in length x 15mm thick, weighs approx. 93.7dwt (watch included)/50.5dwt case only. An incredible, high grade Swiss watch from the late 1800s in a case that needs to be seen to be truly appreciated in excellent+ overall condition!

For more information on Leon Sichel, see the "Questions & Answers" section on page 4 of this "Horological Times" magazine archive.

Please note: for this particular item, due to U.S. export limitations, we can only ship to domestic U.S. addresses.

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