Help Identifying my Pocket watch PLEASE :)

[hwilliams062307]

I originally had posted in the American watch board (I had been told that the watch was American, but John Informed me that it indeed may be Swiss).


"It is marked K 18 (in a shield like shape) I know that is 18K Gold. Then under that on the casing it is marked CD 4009 (I believe it is a 9) It is a ladies pocket watch open face, the dial is gold-tone has a minute and hour hand. It does have jewels in the movements but I am not sure how many exactly, it winds with a key, same key sets the clock as well.

The movements are marked CONTESSE GENEVE.

TIA! "

Please excuse my horrible photos (I have a cheap camera )

[hwilliams062307]

Actually, here are some better pics

[RON in PA]

A stereotypical mid-19th century Swiss bar movement watch with a cylinder escapement that is usually impossible to ID. However since you say the movement is marked with "Contesse Geneve" perhaps someone with Pritchard's book on Swiss watches can try to look it up.

[MartyR]

However since you say the movement is marked with "Contesse Geneve" perhaps someone with Pritchard's book on Swiss watches can try to look it up.

I already looked - it's not in Pritchard, Ron. I have to say the spelling is suspect anyway; French is Comtesse and Italian is Contessa, so this may be just a made-up name ... or simply an unusual surname?

[hwilliams062307]

When I was looking trying to find the "contesse geneve" I ran across a lot of the "geneva" or "comtesse" I double and triple checked it. It is indeed "Contesse Geneve" I found one other watch that had that marking, but it wasn't nearly as nice as mine (of course that i would imagine is a matter of opinion)

and it was this one

[jwolf]

Most of these generic Swiss cylinders are 8 or 10 jewels at best.

Heritage Auctions
Jim Wolf
www.ha.com
http://jewelry.ha.com