Gold Swiss Pocket Watch Engraved w/ Pont des Bergues c. 1840, Jn Freck a Geneve

Description: Please examine photos. They are THIS item and are part of the description. I do not use stock photos or photos of other people’s items.This is an amazing gold pocket watch with hand chased scene of Geneva focusing on the Pont des Bergues circa 1840. It is signed by an unknown (to me or the internets) watchmaker "Jn Freck a Geneve". I have researched permutations of Jn including Jan, John and Johan plus Frech in addition to the more commn Freck, with no success. The inside cover is also marked Echappement a Cylindre, Huit Trous en Rubis with ornate ornamental chasing. There are numerous jeweler's etchings inside the case but no assay or maker's marks. The insides of the cases both have the same maker's serial number 1449. The inside of the outer case is also marked "8". There are no hands or crystal. I do not have a key to wind or know if it does. The works do not appear to be frozen or broken or corroded. The white dial is plain but intact. The works measure about 36mm or a size 8s. Overall diameter without the stem is about 44mm. The outer case snaps open via the stem. The chased image is a very detailed rendering of the Pont des Bergues two span bridge completed in 1834. It spans the Rhone with a landing midway for a footbridge to Rousseau Island. The specifics of the image seem to be taken from lithographs of Jean Dubois circa 1840. His images include a black smokestack perhaps left over from the island's days as a shipyard. None of the images I found after 1840 include this smokestack. I have included ten contemporary images of the bridge from both banks. The first is an 1834 painting with the Bergues bridge in the distance. The next is a Dubois lithographs circa 1840. The third is a British Musem lithograph undated and unattributed which strongly resembles the 1840s works of Dubois. The fourth is half of a stereograph circa 1859 to 1865. The fifth and sixth are a photo and postcard circa 1900. Seven through ten are images from the opposite bank between 1840 (another Dubois lithograph) and 1900.I have tested all of the gold components including the bale. They all test at least 14K. Using 18K acid (all on a stone) causes some of the gold to float but not disappear. Gross weight is 46 grams. A conservative estimate of the weight of the gold components is 15 grams. Price includes an estimate of the gold for scrap at 15 grams of 14K at $2000 an ounce or $564. Significant flaws not depicted in the photos are described here-with, minor flaws and normal wear are not. Unless the item is described as new, assume there will be minor flaws or wear commensurate with a used item of given age. If Free Shipping is offered it will be by the cheapest method possible, for books that will be Media Mail. If Buyer is at all concerned about the time it takes for delivery, please consider the option of paying extra for Priority Mail. Positive Feedback is greatly appreciated and shall be given in return. If Buyer intends to leave negative feedback of any kind, please contact me first so I can try to resolve the issue. Please ask any questions you might have before bidding. I will be happy to answer questions about a particular item to the best of my ability. PLEASE, if you plan to buy more than one item for the same shipment, make your payment AFTER you are finished shopping and have a combined invoice. If you are entitled to any discounts for multiple purchases, wait until I have applied those discounts and "Final" invoiced you before paying. I will not be able to issue discounts after the invoice is paid as a result of E-BAY requirements. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thank You.

Price: 999.99 USD

Location: Miami, Florida

End Time: 2025-01-08T22:40:21.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 USD