Anonymous Swiss Minute-Repeating Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1890
This Swiss-made 18-karat gold hunting-cased watch, dated circa 1890, features a complex array of horological complications. The movement is a 20-ligne caliber, frosted and gilt, containing 31 jewels and equipped with a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance, and a Breguet balance spring.
The timekeeper integrates a minute-repeater mechanism activated by a slide in the case band, as well as a chronograph function with visible works and an associated push-piece. The white enamel dial is appointed with an outer minute track and a chronograph ring, complemented by subsidiary dials displaying the days of the week, dates, and months with a leap-year cycle. An integrated aperture for moon-phase display is located within the seconds sub-dial.
The 56 mm case is constructed in a four-body "bassine et filets" style with a polished gold finish and internal gold cuvette.
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 pocket watch
- Maker
- Anonymous
- Diameter
- 56 mm
- Condition
- Very good
- Case style
- Four body, bassine et filets
- Jewel count
- 31 jewels
- Case material
- 18 ct. gold
- Complications
- Minute-repeating, moon-phase astronomical perpetual calendar and chronograph
- Movement size
- 20 ligne
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in an 18-karat gold hunting case, specified as a four-body "bassine et filets" construction with a polished finish. The design includes an internal gold cuvette. The dial is composed of white enamel, featuring Roman numerals for the primary time indication. The layout includes subsidiary dials dedicated to the calendar functions: week, days, and months, with a specific integration of the leap-year cycle. A sub-dial for seconds incorporates an aperture for the moon-phase display. Outer rings on the dial facilitate the reading of chronograph and minute indicators, marked by blued-steel "pear" hands.
- Visible features
- • Case features a "bassine et filets" design • Dial displays perpetual calendar and moon-phase indicators • Minute-repeater is operated via a slide on the case band • Hands are crafted in blued steel with a "pear" shape
- Condition and Attributions
- The auction description provides a status of the object's physical condition, noting it is in very good condition. The object is attributed to an anonymous Swiss maker around the year 1890. No specific manufacturer or workshop marks are noted in the provided documentation, and the origin is based on general Swiss attribution for the time period.
- Movement and Complications
- The watch is powered by a 20-ligne frosted and gilt movement containing 31 jewels. Its technical architecture includes a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance, and a Breguet balance spring. The timepiece functions include a minute-repeating system, which operates on gongs via a slide positioned in the case band. Additionally, a chronograph mechanism with visible work is included, controlled by a dedicated push-piece located in the case band.
Identification
- 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: Maker is not identified beyond the Swiss origin
- Research required: No specific provenance or history provided