Boucheron Art Deco Blue Enamel Lady Watch: A Timeless Treasure

Step back in time with this captivating 14K bi-colour gold watch, which effortlessly transforms into a pendant, complemented by a bespoke brooch. Each glance reveals the rich nostalgia of the 1920s: the deep blue and jet black geometric enamel patterns echo the unmistakable elegance of the Art Deco era. Amidst these patterns, a delicate green and black enamelled floral design emerges, reminiscent of a bygone era, gently cradled by a constellation of old mine cut diamonds set in shimmering white gold. The watch, encased in ornately engraved yellow gold, whispers tales of forgotten soirées and elegant gatherings.

Though its birthplace might not be the cobbled streets of Paris, compelling clues lead us to believe it's a masterpiece from the revered house of Boucheron, a sentiment echoed by historical photos found in an exclusive Boucheron tome.

This gem didn't just rest in a vault; it proudly took the stage at the Antwerp Diamond Museum's Art Deco exhibition in 2013. Later, in a testament to its timeless beauty, it was handpicked for display at DIVA, Antwerp's Museum for Diamonds, Jewellery, and Silver, which celebrates the city's illustrious history with diamonds and gemstones.

Antique jewelry object group: ladies watch, pendant and brooch

Condition: very good condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: Austria (Vienna)

Style: Art Deco - Art Deco is an eclectic artistic and design style which had its origins in Paris in the first decades of the 20th century. The style originated in the 1920s and continued to be employed until after World War II. The term "art deco" first saw wide use after an exhibition in 1966, referring to the 1925 Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes that was the culmination of high-end style moderne in Paris. Led by the best designers in the decorative arts such as fashion, and interior design, Art Deco affected all areas of design throughout the 1920s and 1930s, including architecture and industrial design, as well as the visual arts such as painting, the graphic arts and film. At the time, this style was seen as elegant, glamorous, functional and modern.
  -  See also: Art Deco or more info on styles

Style specifics: Abstract motives and geometrical forms are quite typical for the Art Deco period. Art Deco moved away from the soft pastels and organic forms of its style predecessor, Art Nouveau, and embraced influences from many different styles and movements of the early 20th century, including Neoclassical, Constructivism, Cubism, Modernism, and Futurism. Its popularity peaked in Europe during the Roaring Twenties and continued strongly in the United States through the 1930s. Although many design movements have political or philosophical roots or intentions, Art Deco was purely decorative.

Extra on Boucheron: Boucheron - A leading French jewelry firm, founded in 1858 in the Palais Royal, Paris, by Frédéric Boucheron (1830-1902) and now having its main establishment at 26 Place VendOme, Paris, with branches in London and elsewhere. Frédéric Boucheron was succeeded by his son Louis (1874-1959), in turn succeeded by his son Gerard (b. 1910), whose son Alain (b. 1948) is now active in the business. The London office, established in 1907, is at 180 New Bond St. In 1960 the firm at the request of the Shah of Iran, set up in Tehran the display of the Royal Jewelry Collection. Boucheron is noted as a specialist in gems as well as a designer of luxury and medium-priced jewelry.

Period: ca. 1925
  -  (events and facts in 1925)

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature (see also: flower symbolism)

Material: 14K bi-color gold (yellow and white), although most of this jewel is in yellow gold, the diamonds are set in white gold. This finds it origin in a much older period (see explanation on silver on gold).
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Technique: Enamelling is an old and widely-adopted technology. The ancient Egyptians applied enamels to pottery and stone objects. The ancient Greeks, Celts, Russians, and Chinese also used enameling processes on metal objects. Enamel is the colorful result of fusing powdered glass to a substrate by firing, usually between 750 and 850 degrees Celsius. The powder melts and flows and hardens to a smooth, durable vitreous coating on metal, glass or ceramic. According to some sources, the word enamel comes from the High German word smelzan (to smelt) via the Old French esmail. Used as a noun, "an enamel" is a usually small decorative object, coated with enamel coating, such as a champlevé or a cloisonné (different techniques).

Diamonds: 42 various old mine brilliant cut diamonds with a total estimated weight of approx. 1.30 crt.
Note: All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Total diamond weight: approx. 1.30 crt.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April.
  -  (more info on birthstones)

Hallmarks: The hallmark is a horse head with a letter "W", wich was in use in Vienna, Austria after 1922.
  -  (more info on hallmarks)

Dimensions: brooch width 2.97 cm (1.17 inch), watch height 4.50 cm (1.77 inch)

Weight: 21.50 gram (13.82 dwt)

Reference Nº: 11151-0001

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

See also our:
jewelry with enamel, yellow gold jewelry, jewelry with rose cut diamonds, jewelry with diamond, latest acquisitions,
antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

Jewelry with birthstones (or month stones) for:
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