Miniature Five-Minute Repeater Pendant Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1890
This miniature five-minute repeating lady's pendant watch, originating from Switzerland around 1890, bears the serial number 7567. It was retailed by T. Kirkpatrick of New York, whose name is signed on the movement.
Housed in a 28 mm, four-body bassine gold case, the watch features a white enamel dial with Breguet numerals, an outer minute track, and black spade hands. The back cover displays a black champlevé enamel monogram. Internally, the watch is powered by a 10 lignes rhodium-plated movement with fausses côtes decoration, containing 29 jewels. The mechanical construction includes a straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic compensation balance, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring.
The repetition function utilizes two polished steel hammers striking on gongs. The watch is classified as a rare miniature example of a repeating timepiece, specifically noted for its five-minute interval function within a compact pendant form.
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
- Size
- 28 mm
- Type
- Five-minute repeating lady's pendant watch
- Maker
- T. Kirkpatrick
- Serial
- 7567
- Case type
- Four-body bassine
- Jewel count
- 29
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement finish
- Rhodium plated
- Maker / attribution
- T. Kirkpatrick
Design
- Case and Dial
- The watch is constructed with a four-body bassine case, which is finished in a polished gold. A distinct decorative element is present on the rear cover, which incorporates a monogram rendered in black champlevé enamel. The watch includes a hinged gold cuvette protecting the movement. The dial is finished in white enamel and features Breguet numerals. An outer minute track provides time indexing, and the time is indicated by a pair of black spade hands. The overall diameter of the watch case measures 28 millimeters.
- Visible features
- • Black champlevé enamel monogram on the back case cover • Polished gold case finish • Visible hammers and gongs within the movement • White enamel dial with printed Breguet numerals
- Condition and Rarity
- According to the auction house grading system, the case is rated as 3 (Good) and the dial as 2-01 (Very Good). The source notes that miniature repeating watches are generally rare, and the majority of existing examples feature minute-repeating rather than five-minute repeating mechanisms. The present watch is identified as being among the smallest five-minute repeaters produced.
- Movement and Function
- The timepiece is powered by a 10-ligne movement finished with rhodium plating and fausses côtes decoration. The movement contains 29 jewels and is equipped with a straight-line lever escapement. Regulation of the timekeeping is provided by an index regulator acting on a blued steel Breguet balance spring, paired with a cut bimetallic compensation balance. The repeating function is designed for five-minute intervals, rather than the more common minute-repeating configuration. The mechanism strikes on gongs using two polished steel hammers. The movement carries the signature of the retailer, T. Kirkpatrick of New York.
Identification
- Serial number
- 7567
- 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: The auction description reports the movement is slightly oxidized and recommends an overhaul
- Research required: The attribution to T. Kirkpatrick as the retailer rather than the primary manufacturer is specific to the source