Miniature Quarter Repeating Pendant Watch by Bonna Frères
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1790
This miniature pendant watch, attributed to Switzerland circa 1790, features a quarter-repeating mechanism. The watch is housed in a rectangular gold case with chamfered corners, decorated with pierced work and engraving designed to facilitate the sound of the repeating mechanism.
The bezel is embellished with blue enamel and diamonds, and the suspension bow is also diamond-set. The white enamel dial is signed "Bonna Frères" and displays Roman numerals for timekeeping, alongside a visible balance wheel bordered with small diamonds. The movement is key-wound, incorporating a polished steel cylinder escapement and a decorative balance. A small steel slide located at the five o'clock position activates the quarter-repeating strike.
The piece is accompanied by a brown morocco leather case with gilt tooling and cream velvet lining, and a golden winding key is concealed beneath the velvet insert.
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
- Date
- circa 1790
- Type
- Quarter-repeating pendant watch
- Escapement
- Cylinder escapement
- Case material
- Gold
- Dial features
- White enamel with visible balance
- Accompaniments
- Morocco leather case and winding key
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Maker / attribution
- Bonna Frères
- Repeating mechanism
- Quarter repeating
Design
- Visible features
- • The dial is signed "Bonna Frères" at the upper register. • The balance wheel is positioned at the top of the dial, surrounded by small diamonds. • The back of the case features engraved French instructions for winding and setting. • The case has a slide-activated quarter-repeater mechanism on the side.
- Case and Dial Design
- The watch is encased in a rectangular gold body featuring chamfered corners. The case is decorated with pierced and engraved patterns, a construction method intended to enhance the acoustic projection of the internal striking mechanism. The front bezel is enriched with blue enamel and diamonds, while the suspension bow is further adorned with diamonds. The dial is composed of white enamel and is signed by Bonna Frères. It features a dedicated section for Roman numeral time display, positioned beneath a visible balance wheel. The balance wheel assembly itself is bordered by small diamonds, and the hour and minute hands are constructed from blue steel in a Breguet style.
- Provenance and Presentation
- The watch is accompanied by an oval, brown morocco leather box. The exterior of the box features gilt tooling, while the interior is lined with cream-colored velvet. The box is associated with the retailer Russells. Inside the presentation case, a golden winding key is located beneath the internal cushion.
- Movement and Repeating Mechanism
- The movement features a full-plate rectangular layout with chamfered edges, with approximately half of the upper plate removed to accommodate the small internal bell. The timepiece is key-wound and uses a polished steel cylinder escapement and a decorative balance. Five of the balance arms were removed to allow access to the top pivot. The quarter-repeating function is controlled by a steel slide located at the five o'clock position on the case. This slide is protected by a small spring-loaded dust cover, ensuring the integrity of the mechanism when not in use.
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: The dating to circa 1790 is an estimate provided by the auction house.
- Research required: The identification of the retailer as 'Russells' relies on the auction house report.