Austria
This Remontoir antique pocket watch from the late 1800's belongs to a friend, Hank, who received it as an heirloom handed down from his Great Grandfather or beyond back in Austria. It may be made in French speaking Switzerland or France, possibly Germany. The fancy golden internal workings give the best view for me and would like to see a clear case put on the back for display - probably wont happen when he hands down to his son. You may have noticed the 1772 Austrian coin with eagle and binoculars attached to the fob (more later).
Click to zoom. Silver carved open face case. Nice enamel dial with large black roman numerals on yellow. Distinctive green, red, and blue floral design with blue bird. Gold hands, winding stem. 15 Rubies pivot point bearings, Ancre ligne Droite is straight line levers or lever escapment manual winding design that converts rotation into back and forth movement. Depress the pin to set the hands. Stamped on the smooth silver inner case is the number 4 and 34382, perhaps a serial number. wiki
Oldest pocket watch in the world video year 1505, yes it is still working !!!!!!!!! built by Peter Henlein Yes, he's from Nuremberg, Germany.
Oh, by the way, there is a coin attached to the watch fob. It seems you just can't get away from everyone's fascination with coins, especially when you least expect it. It is a 1772 Austrian 20 Kreuzer silver coin featuring Maria Theresa. She had a couple duchess titles, was the Queen of Hungary and Bohemia, and was the only empress of the Holy Roman Empire but not the one you are thinking. It has nothing to do with Rome, Italy except that the Pope had initially declared this title. The empire was composed of Germany, Austria, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Slovenia and numerous segments of Poland and numerous other various countries. You can see why Hitler thought he should reunite the German speaking people. As part of the Habsburg Monarchy, Maria had 16 children including Marie Antoinette, who rose to Queen of France until they chopped off her head at the guillotine.
Austria mint.
Obverse: Maria Theresia wearing laureat facing right
Legend: IMP. HU. BO. REG M.THERESIA D: G. R [ IMPEROR EMPRESS HUNGARY BOHEMIA (CZECH) MARIA THERESA DEI GRATI (BY THE GRACE OF GOD) ROYALTY ]
Reverse: Crown above double headed imperial eagle, with crowned shield at chest. Arms of Austria center with 4 quadrants denoting Hungary, Bohemia, bbBurgundy and Burgau (Guenzburg). Denomination 20 flanked by sprays below. ICSK marks.
Legend: ARCH.I.D.AUST.DUX BURG.CO.TYR.1770.X [Archdutchess of Austria Dutchess of Burgundy Countess of Tyrol 1770 Roman Cross ]
Amazingly, the similar but four times heavier and larger diameter (40mm vs 28mm Kreuzer) Maria Theresa thalers struck at mints all over the world all with the same 1780 date. Perhaps the most beautiful,popular, and widespread coin in the world . They are a gift of unusual interest and a souvenier of lasting value. $20 to $2000
Miniature binoculars are way cool. As I cleaned them a touch and the glass lenses were revealed. Then, I thought maybe they were diamonds, a way of hiding them from authorities in the old days? Thought I'd seen them in my WHW phase but couldn't come up with them.