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Question on two tone silver case (pocket watch)


oli

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Hi all

I have been working on this lovely Zenith pocket watch, dating from the early 1900's.

I am intrigued by the case, it is made of 0.800 silver (it has a Swiss hallmark inside). However it is the first time I see a "two tone" case like this, there is what looks like a very hard wearing coating, gun metal colour on the outside of the case.

Would anyone know what it is?

See pics below:

IMG_20171025_194626.jpg?dl=1

 

IMG_20171101_105727.jpg?dl=1

 

 

IMG_20171101_105753.jpg?dl=1

 

 

IMG_20171101_105814.jpg?dl=1

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The case is know as a silver "Niello" case, read this to get an idea of how it is achieved,

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niello

Cases like this are sometimes marked inside with a shield type mark saying Niello. This type of case was popular at around the turn of the last century 1900 to about 1920

Edited by wls1971
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Thank you very much wls!

I have just read the description on your wikipedia link, and it is spot on, so Niello it is! It is nice to know a little bit more about the watch (it belongs to someone in my family).

Thank you very much indeed.

 

 

Edited by oli
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