Typical Art Nouveau gold pocket watches had unique styles consistent with the era. Elegant flowing lines, floral and other naturalistic designs were popular.
Below are some examples and price guides of Art Nouveau gold pocket watches including a Rhinoceros beetle watch by Lalique and a Tiffany & Co enamel and diamond watch depicting a lady.
Ladies’ lapel watch with enhancer American about 1900
The watch face is signed Waltham. The gold case, designed in the Art Nouveau style, is unmarked.
Reference: Museum of Fine Arts Boston
Scarabee Rhinoceros et Fleurs de Trompettes RENÉ LALIQUE AN EXTREMELY RARE AND UNUSUAL ART NOUVEAU GOLD HUNTING CASED KEYLESS LEVER QUARTER REPEATING WATCH, THE PIERCED COVERS WITH PÂTE DE VERRE DECORATION CIRCA 1900, NO. 17120
The Rhinoceros beetle, seemed to have been a particular favorite of Rene Lalique and one can find them as prominent decorative features throughout his work. Lalique watches are a true rarity and only a handful are known today. This watch demonstrates Lalique’s mastery of metal and enamel work.
Sold for 106,250 CHF at Sotheby’s in 2020
A LADY’S ART NOUVEAU ENAMEL, DIAMOND AND EIGHTEEN KARAT GOLD PENDANT WATCH, TIFFANY & CO. the open face watch designed with an enameled plaque depicting a lady in profile, with bandeau and earrings set with old European-cut diamonds, together with a brooch of similar design; dial and movement signed Tiffany & Co.
Sold for US$ 4,500 (£ 3,187) inc. premium at Bonham’s in 2007
MARCUS & CO. ART NOUVEAU EMERALD, ENAMEL AND DIAMOND WATCH-BROOCH Manual movement, round and oval-shaped cabochon emeralds, green enamel, old-cut diamonds, 14k and 18k yellow gold, circa 1905, brooch and watch movement signed Marcus & Co, numbered Size/Dimensions: 7.0 x 2.9 cm (2 5/8 x 1 1/8 in) Gross Weight: 52.5 grams
Sold for USD 23,750 at Christie’s in 2021
Art Nouveau Gold, Ruby and Diamond Open Face Pocket Watch 18 kt., mechanical, the circular cover highlighted by a relief of a profile of a young maiden with flowing hair, with a ruby-set garland headband, playing a rose-cut diamond-set lyre, the reverse with gold-tone dial, black Roman numerals, sunken subsidiary dial, dia. ap. 46 mm., dial signed Chronomètre Uti, movement unsigned, c. 1900, ap. 38.8 dwts. gross.
Sold for $1,625 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle in 2020
Ladies 18k yellow gold art nouveau pendant watch with original lapel brooch. Watch measures 27mm in diameter with guilloche enameled dial. Back cover opens to reveal multicolored enameled cuvette. Marked inside cuvette “Swiss 18K” with hallmarks. Movement is unsigned. Keyless pendant set. Watch hangs from matching brooch set with seed pearls and enameled grape leaves in between two framed high relief girl’s heads. Brooch measures 1 – 1/4″ in diameter. Gross weight 36.9 grams. Minor losses to enamel on brooch only, otherwise excellent condition. Running. c. Early 1900s
Sold for $1,800 at Dan Morphy Auctions in 2020
