Bartens and Rice Co. New York 18k Minute Repeater Pocket Watch, 1800s

Dealer description — Huntington Company

History and Significance Bartens & Rice Co. of New York operated as an importer and retailer of high grade Swiss complications during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a period when American firms often commissioned movements from top Swiss workshops and cased them in precious metals for the U.S. market. Minute repeaters represented the pinnacle of portable horology at the time, requiring extensive hand fitting and adjustment to reliably strike the hours, quarters, and minutes on demand. This example features an 18k gold hunter case and a fully mechanical minute repeater movement with traditional steel gongs. The movement architecture and finishing are consistent with high quality Swiss ébauches supplied to American retailers during this era, with attention paid to symmetry, polished steel components, and jeweling throughout. Pocket watches of this caliber were produced in very limited numbers and intended for a small audience that valued technical sophistication as much as precious materials. Writer’s Thoughts Minute repeaters from this period are increasingly difficult to find in honest condition, especially housed in solid gold cases that have survived without excessive polishing or damage. This piece presents as a serious collector’s watch, more about mechanical and historical importance than novelty. It is the kind of object that rewards slow inspection and appreciation of the amount of work that went into its construction. Our Promise Every watch is thoroughly vetted, carefully described with complete transparency, and guaranteed authentic. Each piece is offered in honest condition, ensuring collectors receive a timepiece that reflects both originality and integrity. Specifications Brand: Bartens & Rice Co. Model: Minute Repeater Pocket Watch Year: circa late 1800s Case Material: 18k yellow gold Case Size: Approximately 50 mm Movement: Manual wind minute repeater Dial: White enamel with Arabic numerals and subsidiary seconds Condition Case: 18k gold case shows visible surface wear and light scratching consistent with age and use. Case proportions remain intact with no evidence of structural issues. Crystal: Glass crystal shows light surface wear consistent with age. Dial: Enamel dial remains attractive with age-related wear. Printing and numerals are still legible and well defined. Hands: Original hands show age-appropriate wear with no obvious replacements. Movement: Movement is complete and well preserved, with visible patina consistent with age. Minute repeater components are intact and fully functional.