A small early-19th-century Swiss watch housed in a gold and enamel, diamond-set, shield-shaped case. The unusual full-plate cylinder movement follows the outline of the case, with the diamond-set balance visible from the front. A very slender bar supports the diamond endstone, and the four-arm balance carries four small diamonds. The balance is displayed above a blue-steel ground decorated with a polished steel cross.

Beneath the balance sits a small white enamel dial with Arabic numerals and blued steel hands. A blue and white champlevé enamel mask with two serpents frames both the balance and the dial. A rock-crystal cabochon protects the dial and balance.

The front and back borders of the case are set with graduated diamonds of varying cuts, and the gold bow is similarly diamond-set. The hinged gold back features polychrome enamel floral decoration on translucent dark blue enamel over an engine-turned ground. Beneath the lid are the winding, setting, and adjusting squares.

The watch is accompanied by a delicate gold key, set with three diamonds and shaped to echo the form of the case, as well as a small red morocco presentation box.