Offered is an unusual circa 1915 Swiss ladies' pendant/pocket watch combining a high-grade A. LeCoultre movement made for or retailed by E. Blancpain Fils with an elaborate 14K gold J.C. Howard & Co. case, hand engraving, translucent green guilloché enamel, and a signed hand-painted portrait miniature.
The movement is signed:
A. LECOULTRE
SWISS
15 JLS
3 ADJ.
and additionally:
E. BLANCPAIN FILS
The manual-wind Swiss movement is fitted with 15 jewels, is marked as adjusted to three positions, and features a Breguet overcoil hairspring, indicating a movement of notably higher quality than the typical small ladies' watch movement of the period.
The movement measures approximately 21.5 mm in diameter.
The elaborate solid-gold case is clearly stamped:
J.C. HOWARD & CO.
14K
Case number 2704.
The maker J.C. Howard & Co. has not been conclusively identified, and no unsupported attribution is being made.
The case is extensively decorated with finely executed engraving around the sides and bow. The workmanship combines scrolling and foliate decoration characteristic of the late Edwardian period.
The front of the watch is particularly unusual.
At its center is a finely executed hand-painted portrait miniature of a young woman, visibly signed by the artist “D.W.” at the lower right.
The artist represented by the initials D.W. has not been identified.
Surrounding the portrait is beautiful translucent green guilloché enamel, allowing the engine-turned pattern beneath to remain visible. Small gold decorative elements further embellish the enamel surround. Some parts of enamel shows signs of time.
The combination of portrait miniature, guilloché enamel, engraved 14K gold case and high-grade Swiss movement makes this considerably more decorative than the typical ladies' pendant watch of the period.
The white dial has striking stylized Arabic numerals characteristic of the transition from late Edwardian design toward the geometric aesthetic that would later become associated with Art Deco.
The dial and overall construction are consistent with an approximate circa 1915 date.
The movement should not be confused with a later Jaeger-LeCoultre watch.
It is specifically signed A. LeCoultre, together with E. Blancpain Fils, and belongs to an earlier period of Swiss watchmaking.
Based upon the movement markings, construction, case style and dial typography, the watch is conservatively dated circa 1915.
Antique/pre-owned condition with age-related wear consistent with a watch more than a century old.
The dial crystal is missing, as clearly shown in the photographs.
The movement appears visually clean for its age with no obvious significant rust or corrosion visible. Please examine the detailed photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the condition description. Movement is working.
The green enamel and portrait remain remarkably attractive, although normal age-related wear and imperfections should be expected.
The watch has not been polished or cosmetically restored.
Total weight as shown, including movement and without the missing crystal: approximately 15.38 grams.
Please note that the 15.38-gram total weight includes the movement, dial, enamel, portrait and all other components and does not represent the net weight of the 14K gold case.
A beautiful and unusual survivor from the early 20th century, combining Swiss horology, fine goldwork, guilloché enamel and signed miniature portrait painting in a single object.
Please review all photographs carefully for condition, details and markings. Sold as an antique collectible watch in the condition shown.