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Pocket watches and pocket watch movements from Swiss private collections

This site is dedicated to the history of portable watches, essentially covering the 16^th until the beginning of the 20^th century. You can see examples of pocket watches, single movements and parts of the respective time periods.

Most watches and movements shown are either of English, French or Swiss or origin and are in Swiss private collections. Several pictures showing single or groups of watches are taken from public collections or the net and are marked as such. Some pictures, such as the three pictures above, are shot by the very talented Yves Müller – @visiuns; www.visiuns.com

Most 18^th and 19^th century English pieces were sourced from David Penney, from whom also much information about them has been provided. The information provided by David is indexed (A) and (B) in the descriptions.

The content is listed chronologically and split by countries and important watchmakers. The watches and movements are classified chronologically within the century and the country they have been manufactured. The description of the pieces is complemented by information about the maker and if relevant the political and social context during which they were made.

Our horological information is taken from the appropriate literature, museum curators all over the world and very experienced collectors. The information and pictures concerning watchmakers and historical background are taken also from the net, such as wikipedia, online auction house catalogues (Antiquorum, Christie’s, Sotheby’s, Bonhams, only to cite the major representatives). We are in no way related to any of these auction houses or other internet sources unless explicitly stated .