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Le Phare 18 Karat Yellow Gold Minute Repeater Pocket Watch, 1890 — view 1 of 6
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Le Phare 18 Karat Yellow Gold Minute Repeater Pocket Watch, 1890

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
1890
Country of origin
Unrecorded in source
Object type
Pocket watch
Materials / technique
gold
Stock no.
Product 5168
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 5168)
Catalogue title (original)
Le Phare 18 Karat Yellow Gold Minute Repeater Pocket Watch (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by WatchMuseum.org shop (stock number Product 5168), this is a pocket watch, dated 1890. The Atlas places it in the Industrial Revolution period (1850 – 1900) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

Step back in time with the exquisite Le Phare 18 Karat Yellow Gold Minute Repeater Pocket Watch, a masterpiece from the late 19th century that embodies the pinnacle of horological craftsmanship and Victorian elegance. This remarkable open-face pocket watch, meticulously crafted in the 1890s, is a testament to Le Phare’s renowned watchmaking prowess, featuring a sophisticated minute repeater gong that chimes the hours and minutes with precision and grace. Encased in opulent 18 karat yellow gold, the watch showcases a harmonious blend of artistic design elements, including a delicately ornate inner cover and an intricately machine-turned guilloche outer cover, reflecting the high Victorian style’s penchant for intricate detailing and luxury. With a substantial movement diameter of 43 mm, equivalent to size 16, and a total weight of 114.7 grams, this pocket watch is not only a functional timekeeping instrument but also a substantial piece of art that exudes timeless sophistication. Its dedicated second dial further enhances its functionality, making it a prized possession for collectors and connoisseurs of vintage horology. Despite its age, the watch remains in good condition, a testament to the enduring quality and durability of Le Phare’s craftsmanship. Although the exact place of origin remains unknown, the watch’s exceptional design and construction speak volumes of its storied past and the rich heritage of late 19th-century watchmaking. Whether you are an avid collector or a lover of historical timepieces, the Le Phare 18 Karat Yellow Gold Minute Repeater Pocket Watch is a rare treasure that captures the essence of a bygone era, offering a glimpse into the artistry and innovation that defined the period. Introducing a stunning vintage open-face pocket watch crafted by Le Phare. This exceptional timepiece boasts a minute repeater gong and a dedicated second dial. Encased in luxurious 18k yellow gold, the watch features a beautiful combination of an ornate inner cover and a machine-turned (guilloche) outer cover. With a movement diameter of 43 mm (size 16), the watch has a total mass of 114.7 grammes. This incredible vintage piece is a true collector’s item, exuding timeless sophistication. Creator: Le Phare Case Material: 18k Gold,Yellow Gold Weight: 114.7 g Style: High Victorian Place of Origin: Unknown Period: Late 19th Century Date of Manufacture: 1890s Condition: Good

Historical context

Industrial Revolution (1850 – 1900)

American interchangeable-parts manufacture; railroad time standards; Swiss and German factory systems.

Machine production with interchangeable parts, pioneered by Waltham (1850s) and adopted by Elgin, Longines, Omega and others, made reliable lever watches widely affordable. Keyless winding became standard, railroad watch standards were introduced (1890s), and Swiss and American industries competed globally.

Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Precision & Scientific Horology

Atlas type guide

Repeating watches

Before electric light, telling the time in the dark was a real problem. Repeating watches strike the time on demand when a slide or push-piece is operated: quarter repeaters sound hours and quarters, minute repeaters hours, quarters and minutes. Edward Barlow and Daniel Quare disputed the invention in London in the 1680s. Early repeaters struck on a bell inside the case; Abraham-Louis Breguet introduced the gong (a coiled steel wire) around 1780, allowing thinner watches.

Repeaters require a separate train with racks, snails and a governor to control the striking speed, and are among the most demanding complications to make and adjust. Swiss makers of the Vallée de Joux specialised in repeating ébauches in the nineteenth century.

What to look for

  • A slide on the case band or a push-piece through the pendant.
  • Gongs encircling the movement (after c. 1780) or a bell in the case (earlier); pierced case for sound.
  • The racks, snails and governor visible under the dial or on the movement.
  • Terms such as 'Minutes', 'Quarts' or 'Répétition' on the dial or cuvette.

Dating clues

  • Bell-striking quarter repeaters: c. 1690–1800.
  • Gong repeaters and dumb repeaters (striking on the case): after c. 1780.
  • Minute repeaters became more common after c. 1830 with Vallée de Joux ébauches.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Minute repeater

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