With a reputation defined by their horological brilliance, Jaeger LeCoultre’s watchmaking talents have eclipsed the wrist watch and pocket watch segments of the market for as long as they have been in business, and so it serves as no surprise that they have taken their talents to produce other amazing time-telling objects over the years, much like this purse watch. Made for, and retailed by, Van Cleef and Arpels, the jeweller, the purse watch that we have here in an 18kt gold basketweave box that hides a watch dial and movement within its confines. With a sliding cover and a rotatable watch body, the resulting timepiece is a purse-friendly version of a pocket watch. Manually-wound and made from 18kt yellow gold, this discrete clock is a wonderful reminder of the talents of Jaeger LeCoultre and their impressive ability to create some truly remarkable timepieces.

Watch is in near overall near-mint vintage condition. Woven case shows onmy minor signs of surface wear, and clean and crisp Frech hallmkars as well as makers marks and numbers are fully legible. Watch dial is near-mint with minimal signs of aging, and the mechanical sliding action is smooth. Please note that the watch ticks at time of cataloging, but timekeeping is poor and a service is recommended.

Technically impressive and aesthetically beautiful, this purse watch is an intriguing reminder of just how advanced time-telling devices have gotten, and how inventive some brands became to create watches that were both functional and beautiful.