An Unusual Art Deco Gold Plated Wrist Watch, Dated 1916
SOLD
Origin: French
Period: Art Deco
Provenance: Unknown
Date: c.1915-16
Length: 8 inches (flat)
Inner Face Width: 0.5 inches (at maximum)
Full Case: 1 inch Wide x 1.5 inches High
The leather strap wrist watch of flattened corner diamond shape with ovoid shaped dial having a red number twelve, scalloped bezel, blued steel hands and an engraving verso reading 'S.L.C. & E.H.C. March 31st 1916 from France'.
The condition is generally good, there are some surface scuffs and scratches but the movement has been overhauled and is guaranteed for one year and the strap is original and has not perished in any way.
The numbers and face are both characteristically Art Deco in style, and the face itself is balanced delightfully with the blued hands and gold plate outer casing. The inscription to the reverse is charming and signals that the watch was a gift, perhaps to mark a marriage anniversary. Although somewhat dainty in size, we feel the watch is a gentlemen’s timepiece but today it is really quote unisex in its atheistic.
The term Art Deco encompasses the distinctive styles in art, architecture and design, and is typified by bright bold colours, and stylized designs derived from the onset of industrialism, as well as artistic movements such as modernism, cubism, and futurism. It is one of the best loved, most influential, instantly recognisable, international, and elegant of all artistic periods.
On the cusp of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods this striking and unusual watch would make a wonderfully stylish gift and represents an opportunity to acquire an early art deco timepiece.