J. F. Bautte & C. Quarter-Repeating Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Early 19th century
This antique Swiss pocket watch is a quarter-repeater, attributed to the Geneva maker J. F. Bautte & C. and dated to the early 19th century. The watch features a complex double-cased construction.
The outer gold case is decorated with blue and white enamel motifs, while the inner 18-karat gold case features engine-turned (guilloché) engraving with floral details and a scalloped edge. The white enamel dial is marked with Roman numerals and minute tracks, paired with gilt hands. The watch is powered by a gilt bar-calibre movement, wound via a key, and incorporates a cylinder escapement. A quarter-repeater mechanism is activated by the pendant, striking the time on two polished steel gongs.
According to the source, the movement number 61338 is recorded on the cuvette, and the outer case is marked with serial 69476. The watch exhibits some signs of age, including fine surface hairline cracks on the dial.
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
- Quarter repeating pocket watch
- Maker
- J. F. Bautte & C.
- Escapement
- Cylinder escapement
- Movement Type
- Gilt bar-calibre
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Repeating System
- Quarter-repeater
- Outer Case Serial
- 69476
- Maker / attribution
- J. F. Bautte & C.
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is housed in an elaborate double-case arrangement, a characteristic feature documented in the source. The outer gold case displays vibrant blue and white enamel work with intricate foliate motifs that follow the scalloped contour of the rim. This decorative layer protects the inner case, which is crafted from 18-karat gold. The inner case back is finished with engine-turned (guilloché) patterning and hand-engraved floral motifs. The dial is composed of white enamel, featuring traditional black Roman numerals for the hours and fine hash marks for the minute scale, all complemented by gilded metal hands.
- Visible features
- • Blue and white enamel ornamentation on outer case • Scalloped edges on the internal casing • Roman numerals on white enamel dial
- Signatures and Marks
- Documentation provided by the source identifies the piece as a product of the Geneva-based firm J. F. Bautte & C. The manufacturer's details and technical identifiers are engraved on the cuvette, which acts as a protective cover for the movement. The catalogue explicitly lists the serial number 61338 appearing on the cuvette, while a separate number, 69476, is associated with the outer gold case. These markers assist in distinguishing the specific components of the watch assembly.
- Movement and Mechanism
- The interior houses a gilt bar-calibre movement featuring a suspended going barrel. The technical specifications include a three-armed balance wheel paired with a blued steel hairspring, a polished steel regulator, and a polished steel cylinder escapement. The watch functions as a quarter-repeater. By pressing the pendant, the mechanism strikes the hour and the preceding quarter against two polished steel gongs. This feature requires a key for winding the mainspring and the repetition train.
Identification
- Reference
- 61338
- Serial number
- 61338
- 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: Operational state of the repeating mechanism is not confirmed
- Research required: Condition of the enamel and internal springs requires professional physical assessment