Lot 609

Attributed to Friedrich Wilhelm Roetig, Hachenberg, 49 mm, 60 g, circa 1880
A rare, almost as new coin pocket watch with miniature movement
Case: blued steel, 2 Thaler silver coin, front: embossing of the Ulm cathedral and inscription: "Zur Erinnerung an d. Wiederherstellung d. Münsters in Ulm 1871, 2 Thaler, C. Schnitzspahn F.". Back: profile portrait of King Charles of Wuerttemberg and inscription: "Karl Koenig von Wuerttemberg", gold hinge and shackle. Dial: miniature enamel dial (diameter 2,5 mm), Arabic numerals, blued hands. Movm.: miniature bridge movement, keywind.
Neither the watch nor the coin give any clues as to the maker, but since this is a two thaler coin, one is put in mind of Emil Roetig, a watchmaker in Hachenberg (Hesse/Nassau) who was known for the so-called "thaler watches" he created by fitting very small movements in thaler coins. Roetig was born in 1814; he or his son, watchmaker Friedrich Wilhelm Roetig, could have produced this watch; we can assume that it is not a unique item, because at least the enamel dial and the hands seem to have been produced in a small series.

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