Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
An exquisite antique gold pocket watch of high horological complexity, created by the Swiss watchmaking house Invicta specifically for the Russian market at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The watch is housed in a substantial three-cover case crafted in 56 zolotnik gold (equivalent to 14K), finely decorated with guilloché engraving characteristic of ceremonial pocket watches of the Historicist period. The watch is accompanied by its original gold chain and presented in an original leather fitted case bearing the mark of the Moscow retailer.
The movement is distinguished by exceptional technical sophistication and incorporates a quarter repeater, chronograph, full calendar with Cyrillic inscriptions in Russian (date, day of the week and month), as well as a moon phase indicator. The presence of a Cyrillic calendar and Russian gold standard clearly indicates that the watch was manufactured expressly for the Russian Empire. The enamel dial, with Roman numerals, subsidiary registers and finely shaped gilt hands, exemplifies the highest standards of late 19th-century Swiss watchmaking.
The inner case back is engraved with medals awarded at the international exhibitions in Bordeaux in 1895 and Paris in 1896, bearing the inscription “Diplôme d’Honneur” and the Invicta motto, confirming the brand’s international prestige and recognition. This watch represents a rare and highly desirable example of Swiss export production adapted to the tastes and requirements of the Russian market.
Hallmarks: Rectangular hallmark “56” (56 zolotnik gold, Russian Empire); “14K” gold mark; engraved Invicta awards and exhibition inscriptions; original retailer markings in the fitted case – Trading House “M.P. Kalashnikov”.
Dimensions: Case diameter 59.6 mm.
Weight: Watch 132 g; gold chain 24 g.
Condition: The watch is in running order; the movement has undergone professional servicing; repeater and calendar functions operate correctly.
Provenance: Manufactured in Switzerland for the Russian market; retailed by the Trading House “M.P. Kalashnikov” (Moscow).
The Invicta watchmaking house was founded in 1837 in La Chaux-de-Fonds, one of the principal centres of Swiss horological production. The brand name derives from the Latin word invicta, meaning “unconquered”, reflecting the company’s philosophy of uncompromising quality, precision and technical excellence. By the second half of the 19th century, Invicta had established itself as a producer of high-grade pocket watches capable of competing with the leading Swiss manufactures.
The late 19th century marked a period of international acclaim for the brand. Participation in major world exhibitions, including Bordeaux in 1895 and the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1896, brought Invicta honorary diplomas and medals, proudly engraved on the most important models. These distinctions served both as proof of quality and as a powerful instrument of international promotion.
The Russian Empire occupied a particularly important place in the export strategies of Swiss watchmakers. Strong demand from the aristocracy, military officers and affluent merchants encouraged the production of watches adapted to local standards. The use of 56 zolotnik gold, Cyrillic calendar inscriptions and collaboration with leading Moscow and Saint Petersburg retailers became defining features of such pieces. The present watch is an outstanding example of this tradition.
The Trading House “M.P. Kalashnikov”, founded in Moscow in 1832, was among the leading suppliers of Swiss watches in Russia. Its shops, first located on Ilyinka Street and later in the Upper Trading Rows (now GUM), served a distinguished clientele and offered products from the finest European manufacturers. The company ceased operations after 1917, yet its name remains firmly embedded in the history of Russian commerce and horology.
Today, Invicta pocket watches from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, particularly those made for the Russian market and equipped with complex complications, are highly sought after by collectors. They are valued not only for their technical excellence, but also for their historical association with the golden age of international trade and cultural exchange between Switzerland and the Russian Empire.
The case shows minimal signs of wear; guilloché decoration remains well preserved. The movement is clean and recently serviced, with all functions operating correctly. The enamel dial is unrestored, showing only minor age-related marks.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
