A. Huguenin Large Pocket Watch with Complications
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Circa 1890
This large pocket watch is a keyless-winding hunting-case example attributed to A. The watch features a 20 ligne movement, potentially utilizing an ébauche by LeCoultre.
It is housed in a 0.900 silver niello case with pink gold accents, measuring approximately 61 mm in diameter. The decorative exterior includes foliage-patterned niello work, with an inlaid pink gold motif on the cover depicting a terrestrial globe alongside scientific and astronomical instruments. Functionally, it is equipped with six horological complications, including a minute-repeater, a quarter-second chronograph, triple calendar displays for date, day, and month, and moon phase indications.
The white enamel dial is accented by radial Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet hands. The total approximate weight is 211.6 grams, and the timepiece is accompanied by an original fitted box and a matching chain.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Minute-repeating chronograph with triple date and moon phases
- Year
- Circa 1890
- Maker
- A. Huguenin
- Weight
- 211.6 grams
- Case Serial
- 12
- Case Material
- 0.900 Silver niello and pink gold
- Complications
- 6
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Serial
- 10 145
- Movement Caliber
- 20 ligne
- Maker / attribution
- A. Hugenin (or Hugonin)
Design
- Case and Dial
- The timepiece features a large, round-shaped hunting-case constructed from 0.900 silver niello and pink gold. The cover and back are decorated with a taille-douce engraving technique featuring a foliage pattern. Centered on the front cover is an inlaid pink gold motif, which represents a terrestrial globe encircled by various astronomical and scientific instruments. The dial is finished in white enamel and is set with radial Roman numerals. Time is indicated by a set of blued steel Breguet-style hands. Subsidiary dials are positioned for secondary functions, including the day of the week at the 3 o'clock position, the month of the year at 6 o'clock, and the date of the month at 9 o'clock. A moon phase aperture is located at 12 o'clock, with subsidiary seconds featured at 6 o'clock.
- Visible features
- • Case decorated in niello technique with foliage and an inlaid pink gold globe • Triple date and moon phase display on white enamel dial • Minute repeater slide located on the case-band at 6 o'clock • Chronograph push-piece positioned at 12 o'clock
- Movement and Escapement
- The watch is driven by a 20 ligne, rhodium-plated movement featuring a going barrel. The mechanism utilizes a straight-line lever escapement and a cut bimetallic compensated balance fitted with gold poising screws. Regulation is controlled by a polished steel index-regulator, and the balance spring is of the blued steel type with a terminal curve. The complications are integrated into the movement structure, with the repeating mechanism located on the main plate underneath the dial, and the chronograph components mounted on the top plate.
- Complications and Condition
- The watch incorporates six distinct horological complications. These include a minute-repeater that strikes on two steel gongs, operated via a slide on the case-band at 6 o'clock. A quarter-second chronograph is managed by an olive-shaped push-piece at 12 o'clock. The calendar functions include the day, month, and date, with English language indicators, alongside a lunar phase display. The case is described as good, while the dial exhibits minor chipping. The watch is sold with its original fitted box, an additional glass, and a coordinating silver niello and pink gold chain weighing approximately 27.7 grams.
Identification
- Serial number
- 10 145
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement caliber ebauche attribution to LeCoultre is cited as probable rather than certain
- Research required: Case maker mark 'A A H' is suggested as likely being from Le Locle