A ring watch is a very rare sight in horology.
This delicate style of timepiece is dependent upon a masterful set of artisans as, to accommodate the dainty size needed to fit on a finger, the mechanics must be much smaller.
While ring watches might be rare, they’re not unheard of. Here we show you five – well, six – quite different ring watches, one modern from Baselworld 2015 and five historical pieces.
Jaeger-LeCoultre is such a wide and varied manufacturer that we came across several ring watches during a recent visit to the brand’s factory in Le Sentier.
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch with enamel (Bordeaux-colored) on the case and dial (ivory-colored grand feu)
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch with enamel
This sweet little ring watch by Jaeger-LeCoultre is from about 1900. Crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, it is decorated with Bordeaux-colored enamel and 18 diamonds that appear to be rose cut. The dial is in grand feu enamel with a red “12,” while the other numerals are blue. The crown, which is actually used to wind the petite 13.5 mm movement, is at 12 o’clock.
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch with enamel (Bordeaux-colored) on the case and dial (ivory-colored grand feu)
As an aside, it fits me just perfectly. So if anyone wanted to know its (or my) ring size, I could tell you with certainty it is 51.
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch with enamel on the finger
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch powered by Caliber 426
Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 426
This Jaeger-LeCoultre secret ring watch is from 1952. Powered by JLC Caliber 426, it is housed in a square platinum case set with 24 brilliant-cut diamonds and eight brilliant-cut cornflower blue sapphires.
Jaeger-LeCoultre platinum ring watch powered by Caliber 426
Inside the “secret”: Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch powered by Caliber 426
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch encased in yellow topaz
This pretty little ring is also powered by JLC Caliber 426, which is the smallest round Jaeger-LeCoultre movement (caliber 101, which is baguette-shaped, is smaller).
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch encased in yellow topaz
Made in 1954, the case is made of a gold that we would consider to be yellow gold today. Back in the 1950s, though, it was called pink gold.
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch encased in yellow topaz in its natural habitat
Its dial is fully covered by an emerald-cut yellow topaz extending out past the round dial to give the appearance of a rectangular timepiece. The crown for winding and setting is on the back.
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch powered by Caliber 105
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s oval ring watch
This ring watch is quite unusual in that its platinum case was crafted in a “pinched” oval – and the shape of the movement follows suit. Made in 1924 and powered by JLC Caliber 105, the unusual dial of this platinum watch showcases the minuscule balance wheel at the top.
Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch powered by Caliber 105
This ring watch example makes me think that female watch connoisseurs have existed long before the modern age. The crown placed at 6 o’clock winds and sets the movement.
Seyffert
During the celebration of Ferdinand Adolph Lange’s 200th birthday, the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physics Instruments in Dresden opened an exhibition in its section of the historic Zwinger museum called “Simple and Perfect: Saxony’s Path into the World of International Watchmaking.”
Seyffert ring watch circa 1780 (photo courtesy Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Grünes Gewölbe, Peter Müller)
Unfortunately, the exhibition ended on June 14, 2015. But its beautiful exhibits remain etched in my mind – and in the exhibition catalogue.
This historical ring watch from 1780 was created by Johann Heinrich Seyffert, a former Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physics inspector (the term used for director) and celebrated historical German watchmaker. It constituted one of the 80 exhibits on display.
Side view of the movement of the Seyffert ring watch circa 1780 (photo courtesy Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Grünes Gewölbe, Peter Müller)
In the catalogue book Simple and Perfect: Saxony’s Path into the World of International Watchmaking written to accompany the exhibition, Sibylle Gluch, who wrote the section called “Transporting the Precise Time,” states that, “The general interest of the court in unusual timepieces must also have played a role when it came to appointing a new curator for the Mathematisch-Physikalischer Salon [the Royal Cabinet of Mathematical and Physics Instruments] and the Kunstkammer [literally: “art chamber”] although Seyffert . . . owed his special status not least to his insistence on the scientific principles underlying his work, an attitude of which there is no comparable trace in any of the master watchmakers of the Dresden guild active in Seyffert’s lifetime.”
Dial of the Seyffert ring watch circa 1780 (photo courtesy Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden, Grünes Gewölbe, Peter Müller)
Seyffert’s timepieces were often purchased by royalty, and this ring watch is obviously one of these as it was one of the personal effects left by King Anton of Saxony. It is now on display at Dresden’s world-famous Grünes Gewölbe (Green Vault) museum.
Graff ring watch
Graff
Finally, we found this modern “secret” ring watch posing as a cocktail ring at Baselworld 2015: the Halo by Graff.
The Graff Halo “secret” ring watch
A quartz movement powers the timekeeping, the display of which is hidden behind a swiveling jeweled exterior dome comprising clusters of several carats’ worth of diamonds and rubies.
The Graff Halo “secret” ring watch
For more information, please visit www.graffdiamonds.com.
Quick Facts
Case: white gold, 25 mm
Movement: Swiss quartz caliber
Functions: hours, minutes
Variations: with diamonds and sapphires, diamonds and emeralds, or diamonds only
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I ´m interested in selling a Jaeger-LeCoultre Caliber 426 in a square platinum case set with 24 brilliant-cut diamonds and eight brilliant-cut cornflower blue sapphires, and a Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch encased in yellow topaz. Will appreciate if you can give me some information on where to sell them, and if possible to tell me about how much I could ask for each. Thank you in advance.
Hello Mrs. Muniz,
did you already sell the ring watch? I’m collecting (I’ve just started…) ring watches and I’m interested in buying the one, you are offering.
With kindest regards,
Yasemin Celep
I just inherited some of three generations jewelry..I own 2 antique watch rings and an antique watch brooch where the face of watch hangs upside down. I need a collector to buy..These pieces deserve it. I will email pictures if interested..
Hi Elizabeth I was wondering if you still have your ring watches listed for sale?? Please get back to me as soon as possible with details or pictures, thanks!
These were never my watches, and I doubt they are for sale. We are an editorial-only publication.
Hi I am interested in buying in jaeger ring watch. Please mail me if you still have it
We never had it, this was a story featuring examples from JLC’s own museum. Good luck in your search!
Hi. I have a Türler ring watch from the 1940’s. I don’t have any info but I do have pictures to send if you are interested.
I noticed your posting. I have a cameo ring watch, Elka. Gold. Are you interested for your collection?
How can i buy Jaeger-LeCoultre ring watch ? and do you know about the price? please give me some information my email address is : negar.art1989@gmail.com and if you have some information about nice ring watch like this that made with real gold 18 karat i want to buy you can send the photo of that in my instagram via direct. my instagram address is: Negarsadvand1
Thanks for your question. JLC does not currently make ring watches, so you’ll have to scour vintage sales to find something like this. Good luck!
Hi, I have a ring watch that is written on the Opta screen. Can you help me, what company made this watch?
I have this Cartier watch. I would love to do it. May be for sale Beautifully decorated ring.