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C. 1850-80 Swiss Key Wind 8 Jewel Pocket Watch

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:50.00 USD Estimated At:200.00 - 400.00 USD
C. 1850-80 Swiss Key Wind 8 Jewel Pocket Watch
For your consideration is a 1850-1880, Swiss-made silver plated pocket watch with gold wash plating, inscribed "Cuivre", French for copper or brass, meaning the inside dust cover is made from one of these materials, as opposed to the rest of the case which is silver, also inscribed "Remontoir Cylindre 8 rubis", which means winding button (which supplanted winding keys) cylinder style escapement, 8 jewels. Left to its own devices, the mainspring of a watch would wind down in a matter of seconds. The escapement is the part of the watch mechanism that keeps this from happening, forcing the mainspring to instead unwind at a slow, regular pace. The regular interaction of the various parts of the escapement is what literally makes a watch "tick." Piece is in remarkably good condition for its age, much of the gold wash is faded showing the silver beneath, not in working order, 1.75" diameter