Precious Time: The Louis Reymond Watch, 1860

Watch
Louis Reymond
Switzerland, 1860

The pocket watch was one of the most important parts of any individual’s suite of jewelry. Before the advent of wristwatches and certainly before you could buy a cheap watch at any apothecary or street corner, a person’s watch was treated with the utmost care both in creation and in design.

This enameled gold watch case is set with diamonds and comes from Le Locle, Switzerland. It is the work of Louis Reymond and dates to about 1860. While the case itself is not marked, the lever escapement bears the mark of Louis Reymond.

The case is adorned with a romantic design of cherubs flaking an oval of sky blue enamel into which the diamonds have been set. The reverse shines with a similar design replacing the cherubs with roses and with a blue swan atop the central enamel oval.