18K Yellow Gold French Cylinder Escapement Pocket Watch, L'Arrivee A Paris
Watch (Pocket Watch, Open Face / Hunter style hybrid components) · Yellow Gold. Classic warm French honey-yellow tone, indicating a balanced alloy of copper and silver added to the pure gold base.
Purity: 18K (750 fineness). This indicates 75.0% pure gold alloyed with copper and silver for durability. Visible French eagle's head hallmark suggests 18K solid gold standard.
Type
Watch (Pocket Watch, Open Face / Hunter style hybrid components)
Purity
18K (750 fineness). This indicates 75.0% pure gold alloyed with copper and silver for durability. Visible French eagle's head hallmark suggests 18K solid gold standard.
Gold Type
Yellow Gold. Classic warm French honey-yellow tone, indicating a balanced alloy of copper and silver added to the pure gold base.
Weight
Total weight approx. 45-65 grams. The gold case weight typically accounts for 15-25 grams of the total mass, as the movement and cuvette add significant non-gold weight.
Description
An exquisite example of mid-19th century French horology, this 18K yellow gold pocket watch features a masterfully engraved inner cuvette. The script ‘A Paris’ denotes its prestigious urban origin, while the 'Cylindre en Rubis' text confirms a high-grade jeweled cylinder movement. The high-polish finish of the interior case lid reflects the opulence of the era, intended for a sophisticated gentleman or lady of the French upper class.
Key Features
Signature French 'Eagle's Head' hallmark; Hand-engraved inner dust cover (cuvette); Key-wind movement indicated by twin winding/setting holes; Low serial number (300).
Color & Finish
Rich yellow gold with a high-polish interior case lid and a satin-finished 'cuvette' (inner dust cover). Shows light age-related patina and minor circular scratches around keyholes.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Eagle's Head (Tête d'aigle) hallmark on the interior lid, signifying 18K gold from a French assay office. Engraved 'Cylindre en Rubis', 'Quatre Trous en Joyaux', and 'A PARIS'. Serial number 300.
Dimensions Estimate
Approx. 40mm to 45mm in diameter (standard pocket watch size). Thickness of approx. 10mm-12mm excluding the bow.
Gemstones & Inlays
No external gemstones. Internal 'Joyaux' (Jewels) are functional rubies used as bearings for the movement pivots to reduce friction in the gear train.
Clasp & Closure
Hinged double-case construction. Features a spherical pendant with a circular bow (loop) and a mechanical 'tongue' catch for the outer lid.
Chain & Links
No chain present. The rounded 'D-shape' profile of the case edges indicates a traditional French mid-19th-century smooth bezel construction.
Craftsmanship Details
Hand-engraved script and engine-turned details. The cuvette is likely gilded brass (typical for the era to protect the movement) while the outer shells are solid 18K gold.
Authentication Indicators
The presence of the French Eagle's Head hallmark is the primary gold authentication marker. Professional engraving style and the specific 'Cylindre' terminology match historical manufacture standards.
Origin & Maker
Origin: Paris, France. Maker: L'Arrivee (indicated by signature). French watchmaking hubs in the 19th century were known for elegant, thin horological designs.
Era & Period
Mid-Victorian / Louis Philippe period (1840-1860). Stated by the use of cylinder escapement and key-wind/key-set mechanical design popular in France at the time.
Age Estimate
Circa 1850. The engraving style, French hallmarks, and 'Cylindre en Rubis' movement technology are characteristic of mid-19th-century production.
Cultural Significance
A symbol of status and punctuality in 19th-century Parisian society. Such watches were often generational heirlooms representing the pinnacle of European mechanical engineering before the Swiss mass-production boom.
Condition Notes
Very Good. The gold case shows minor surface scratches consistent with use. The hinge appears tight. Movement functionality is unknown without a key. Patina is present on the brass/gilt inner dust cover.
Value Estimate
Melt value approx. $900-$1,200 plus a collector premium. Total market value typically ranges from $1,500 to $2,500 depending on the movement's working condition and brand prestige.
Care & Maintenance
Do not over-polish as it removes gold material and hallmarks. Gold should be cleaned with a soft cloth. The mechanical movement requires specialized horological oiling every 5 years.
Similar Items
English Lever Pocket Watches (usually thicker), Swiss Patek Philippe early pocket watches (higher value), or 14K gold American Waltham/Elgin watches (different hallmark system).
Interesting Facts
The 'Cylindre en Rubis' (ruby cylinder) was a major advancement in thinning watch profiles, allowing watches to become more elegant jewelry pieces rather than thick 'onions'.