Rosskopf Pocket Watch

W. Rosskopf Pocket Watch, manufactured circa 1900. Signed on the covers and movement. Hand-engraved

Beautiful early 20th-century pocket watch manufactured by W. Rosskopf & Cie (Vittori & Cie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland). Its movement and mechanism are based on those designed by the renowned watchmaker Georges Frederic Roskopf, inventor of what became known as the "worker's watch" in the second half of the 19th century. This watch cost only 20 francs, an amount equivalent to a worker's weekly pay-hence its name. Roskopf's watches were nothing short of a revolution, as they not only popularized what had previously been a luxury item but also incorporated the crown-winding system, replacing the previously standard (and more fragile and cumbersome) key-winding mechanism.

This exquisite pocket watch bears the manufacturer's signature on the dial, the dust cover, and the movement. The dust cover and the interior are also engraved with the inscription "GARANTIE ANTIMAGNETIQUE," as well as a logo depicting a seven-petaled flower. The dust cover also features five medals, representing the awards won by the manufacturer at various exhibitions and events. The delicate and exquisite movement also bears the same logo engraved in the metal. Within it, we can also see the rubies that ensure it runs with absolute precision.

The watch is as attractive on the inside as it is on the outside. The front reveals the dial, featuring elegant Roman numerals and delicate filigree-style hands crafted from copper-colored metal. The dial is surrounded by a metal bezel, engraved with finely detailed botanical motifs. The back cover is also hand-decorated, in this case with a relief depicting a steam locomotive at a station nestled among mountains. The watch has been serviced and adjusted and works perfectly, making it a practical and functional item that combines utility with aesthetic appeal.

This pocket watch will make a fantastic gift for a sophisticated gentleman who appreciates the beauty and historical significance of antique timepieces.

Dimensions: Width: 52 mm. Height (with crown and ring): 68 mm.