Swiss Quarter-Repeating Pocket Watch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
Early 19th century
This early 19th-century Swiss open-face pocket watch features a quarter-repeating mechanism. The repeater is activated by depressing the pendant, which strikes two polished steel gongs.
The 18-karat gold case is decorated with floral engraving, engine-turned guilloche detailing, and a fluted rope-pattern band. The dial is made of white enamel with black Roman numerals and gold Breguet-style hands. Time setting and winding are performed via a key through a guilloche-decorated internal cuvette. The movement is a gold-gilt bar type featuring a suspended free barrel and a cylinder escapement. The escapement comprises a polished steel cylinder, a steel escape wheel, a three-arm gold balance, and a blued steel hairspring.
A blued steel regulator is mounted on a plain cock. The watch relies on key-winding and does not have a crown-wound movement. It is currently documented as being in good external condition with no reported cracks to the enamel 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
- Hands
- Gold Breguet-style
- Case material
- 18k gold
- Dial material
- White enamel
- Maker location
- Switzerland
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Escapement type
- Cylinder
- Winding mechanism
- Key-wind
- Striking mechanism
- Quarter repeating
Design
- Case and Dial
- The open-face case is constructed from 18-karat gold. It features ornate floral engravings and engine-turned guilloche patterns on the reverse. The middle band of the case is decorated with a fluted, rope-like design. The dial is composed of white enamel and displays black Roman numerals for the hours. The hour and minute hands are finished in gold and are of the Breguet style. Access to the key-winding mechanism and time-setting arbor is provided by lifting an internal metal dust cover or cuvette, which is also decorated with guilloche engine-turning.
- Visible features
- • Case features extensive floral and guilloche decoration • Gold Breguet-style hands present on the dial • Key-wind access provided through the internal cuvette • Movement utilizes a cylinder escapement
- Movement and Escapement
- The movement is a gold-gilt bar-type construction equipped with a suspended free barrel. The escapement is a cylinder design that includes a polished steel cylinder, a steel escape wheel, and a three-arm gold balance wheel. A blued steel spiral hairspring is utilized for the balance. The regulator is also made of blued steel and is mounted on a plain balance cock. The repeating mechanism is activated by pressing the pendant and strikes time on two steel gongs. Internal steel components for the repeater are visible beneath the dial side.
- Condition and Attribution
- The watch is attributed to the early 19th century in Switzerland. According to the seller, the exterior is in good condition, and the enamel dial is free of fractures. There is no information provided regarding recent servicing or the watch's current rate of accuracy. Prospective owners are cautioned that the condition of the mainspring, the striking springs, and the steel cylinder escapement should be evaluated by a horologist prior to regular use, as these critical internal components have not been formally assessed for serviceability.
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: Service history and current timekeeping accuracy are unverified
- Research required: Internal mechanical functionality of the striking system and springs requires expert inspection