112nd Auction
2025/5/10
Lot 304
Robert Brandt & Cie. zugeschr./attr. to
An exquisite, ultra-thin Swiss pocket watch with Bagnolet Caliber
Sold
estimated
2.200—3.500 €
Price realized
2.800 €
specific features
Case
18 K gold, lavishly florally engraved, reeded caseband, case maker's punch mark "FM".
Dial
Silver, florally engraved.
Movement
Full plate movement, lavishly florally engraved, cylinder escapement.
Case no.24477
Cal.Bagnolet
Diam.41 mm
Circa1850
Ctry.Switzerland
Wt.31 g
Even with the dial the movement size of this pocket watch which is probably made by Robert Brandt & Cie. in La Chaux-de-Fonds only comes to 5 mm! The characteristics of the "Bagnolet" calibre is that it is laterally reversed, meaning that the dial is on the same side of the plate as the motion wheels. This construction makes it possible to have a very flat movement, and to make it even flatter, the winding squares are replaced by square holes, therefore needing a key with a square tip for winding or hand setting. Philippe Samuel Meylan is credited with the invention of the bagnolet caliber. This was the flattest movement of its time.