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[Jopax]

But the confirmation that it was something intended for France is enough, I had my doubts because it seemed that the writing only indicated to the model of the watch, like here.

AFAIK Inscriptions like "medaille d'or" or "medaille d'argent" on watches refer to the creator of the model winning an award at an exhibition. So this model won a gold medal in 1895, at an exhibition in France or in the french-speaking part of Switzerland. The watch itself could be from around 1900, but the 1895 refers to the creation of the model or the winning of the award.

Hmmm, that's even more interesting, and gives more sense to some of the stuff I've found. I think it probably means the watch model, since the watchmaker isn't listed anywhere, something I've seen on other watches as well as the place the prize was given. But honestly the age is what's bugging me the most, maybe it's relatively new but wasn't handled with any care whatsoever, or it could be a hundred years old and changed a lot of hands. Something that I'll probably never know, damnable history.

[XXSockXX]

Hmmm, that's even more interesting, and gives more sense to some of the stuff I've found. I think it probably means the watch model, since the watchmaker isn't listed anywhere, something I've seen on other watches as well as the place the prize was given. But honestly the age is what's bugging me the most, maybe it's relatively new but wasn't handled with any care whatsoever, or it could be a hundred years old and changed a lot of hands. Something that I'll probably never know, damnable history.

You need to look for stamps or serial numbers, if you find any, experts can tell you where and when it was made. It's probably not that new.
It looks like this one:
http://uhrforum.de/flohmarktfund-invicta-medalle-d-or-1895-a-t49393
and apparently the founder of Invicta won an award in Bordeaux in 1895:
http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?13257-R-Picard-%28Invicta%29-Repeater

[fqllve]

Wow that is an absolutely beautiful watch.

I wouldn't guess it's that new. I've owned a couple of more modern mechanical pocket watches, and just looking at the winder makes me think it's pretty old. And as far as I know Invicta doesn't even make pocket watches anymore and hasn't for years and years, so I'd guess it's at least pretty close to that 1895 date. Seems like the watchmaker won another award a year later, so it's possible it's actually from 1895 or pretty close.

I would definitely look for serial numbers, like Sock said, or take it to an expert regardless.

[anzki4]

Hmmm, that's even more interesting, and gives more sense to some of the stuff I've found. I think it probably means the watch model, since the watchmaker isn't listed anywhere, something I've seen on other watches as well as the place the prize was given. But honestly the age is what's bugging me the most, maybe it's relatively new but wasn't handled with any care whatsoever, or it could be a hundred years old and changed a lot of hands. Something that I'll probably never know, damnable history.

Here's two watches I found with similiar inscriptions:
One
Two

Quote from the second one: "The dust cover with medals won by Invicta". Meaning the medal was won by the company, which most likely is the same company as the modern Invicta, since according to Wikipedia, it was founded in 1837.

Fake'edit: Ninja'd a couple times.

[XXSockXX]

Seems like the watchmaker won another award a year later, so it's possible it's actually from 1895 or pretty close.

I thought the same thing, the others I've seen have both awards.
It's really difficult to say more without being an expert. A stamp could tell where the casing was made and a serial number could probably date it exactly.

[Jopax]

And unfortunately there isn't any, the only intentional marks on the case are those in the image, the rest is pretty smooth :I

But, I did find out about the working one. It's most similar to IWC Schaffhausen caliber 52, it has a serial number so dating it won't be too hard, but the sites I've been trough all claim slightly different production dates, going from as early as 1888 to as late as 1931.
There seem to be two very similar models, with different production runs, figuring out which one of these it belongs too hopefully won't be much of a hassle.

Anyways, if anyone is wondering the working one looks pretty much like this:

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

The back is only engraved with a very faded emblem, and the inside is completely smooth except the serial numbers.

[anzki4]

On another note: I've been two days without a cigarette now.

[Slayerhero90]

YAY!

Good job, anzki4!

[misko27]

Good job. Pat yourself on the back.

[Criptfeind]

That sorta thing deserves a reward. Maybe a nice cigarette.

[Sirus]

It's funny how happy a $50 space heater can make you. We had to pick one up thanks to the 30+-year-old-furnace breaking down, and the house has gotten steadily colder over the past couple of weeks, to the point where hooded sweaters and slippers were house attire. First day with the space heater and the temperature in the house has already gone up 5 degrees.

[Loud Whispers]

I found the 'species' game.

I now have dinosaur-like creatures roaming around, slowly going extinct because they have predated most of their prey to near-extinction.

T-t-time travelling dinosaurs?!

[Sirus]

I found the 'species' game.

I now have dinosaur-like creatures roaming around, slowly going extinct because they have predated most of their prey to near-extinction.

Is this a board game? That was one of the first results I got by googling "species game".

[Graknorke]

I found the 'species' game.

I now have dinosaur-like creatures roaming around, slowly going extinct because they have predated most of their prey to near-extinction.

Is this a board game? That was one of the first results I got by googling "species game".

No. It's an evolution sim.

[The Darkling Wolf]

A link would be pleasant