By Appointment | French Potens Prima Paste-Set Watch Bracelet (Retro, c. 1935–1945)

Worth opening. The watch is easy to miss. Closed, the piece reads as an ornate jeweled bracelet, its paste-set cover giving little indication of what lies beneath. Lift the lid and a tiny dial appears, transforming the bracelet from adornment into timepiece. The reveal feels deliberate, as though checking the hour was intended to be a private act rather than a public display. Produced in France by Potens Prima, this gold filled watch bracelet conceals a 17-jewel mechanical movement beneath an ornate paste-set cover. The scrolling metalwork and densely set stones create the impression of a jewel first and a timepiece second, allowing the bracelet to stand on its own even when the watch remains unseen. Its substantial scale, richly detailed cover, and hidden dial capture the ingenuity and elegance that made these secret watch bracelets enduring favorites. Details • Era: Retro, c. 1935–1945 • Origin: France • Material: Gold Filled, Stainless Steel Watch Back • Size: Approximately 2 1/4 inches by 2 inches • Style: Hidden watch bracelet / cocktail watch bracelet • Hallmarks: Mode Déposé, Fond Acier Inoxydable; Potens Prima movement • Condition: Good vintage condition with age-appropriate wear. All stones remain present, though some have darkened over time and no longer reflect light as brightly as others. The exterior presents beautifully, while the interior shows noticeable wear to the gold-filled finish consistent with years of use. Cover opens and closes properly. Watch is currently not running and is offered as-is. • Styling Notes: Equally compelling as a jewelry object and a conversation piece. Wear as a dramatic cuff-style bracelet and enjoy the hidden watch as an unexpected detail discovered only upon closer inspection. Please Note: Jewelry box, chains, styling props, and any additional items shown in photos are for display purposes only unless specifically listed as included. Your piece will arrive carefully packaged in RetroStarr presentation wrapping, ready for gifting, collecting, or immediate wear. Curated by Dana Sednek, GIA trained jewelry professional and founder of RetroStarr, where each jewel is hand selected for its past lives and future attitude.