Montandon Freres 18CT Gold Engraved Lever Minute Repeater, 1880

Dealer description — WatchMuseum.org shop

The Montandon Freres 18CT Gold Engraved Lever Minute Repeater, crafted circa 1880, is a testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the renowned Swiss watchmaker based in La Locle, Switzerland. This antique pocket watch is encased in a heavy 18ct yellow gold case, intricately engraved with floral garlands on both the front and back covers, and features a vacant cartouche on the front. The dial, a harmonious blend of silver and gold, is adorned with a delicate gold garland of flowers around its edge, complemented by classic black Roman numerals and a subsidiary dial at six o’clock with a blued steel Fleur-di-Lis hand. The original blued steel Fleur-di-Lis hands and matching second hand enhance its timeless elegance. Inside, the keyless lever movement is highly jewelled and nickel finished, boasting wolf’s tooth winding, a compensation balance, and a Breguet overcoil hairspring, with polished steel hammers that chime the hours, quarters, and minutes. The inner cover, fully signed “Montandon Freres Locale,” signifies its Swiss origin and its production for “Gmo Eppner Lima,” while the cases are fully signed, numbered, and hallmarked. This minute repeater full hunter pocket watch is a remarkable example of Montandon Freres’ expertise in creating highly complicated timepieces, reflecting the distinguished heritage and superior craftsmanship of 19th-century Swiss watchmaking. This magnificent antique pocket watch was crafted by Montandon Freres, a renowned Swiss master watchmaker based in the Canton of La Locle, Switzerland. The watch dates back to approximately 1880, and it features a heavy 18ct yellow gold case that is highly engraved with floral garlands to the front and back covers. The front cover also has a vacant cartouche. The handcrafted dial is made of silver and gold, and it is adorned with a beautiful gold garland of flowers around the edge. The black Roman numerals create a classic look, and the subsidiary dial with a blued steel Fleur-di-Lis hand is located at six o’clock. The original blued steel Fleur-di-Lis hands and matching second hand complement the dial perfectly. The keyless lever movement is highly jewelled and is nickel finished. It is also fully signed and numbered, with wolf’s tooth winding, a compensation balance, and a Breguet overcoil hairspring. The polished steel hammers strike the hours, quarters, and minutes. The inner cover of the case is fully signed “Montandon Freres Locale,” indicating its origin in Switzerland and its production for “Gmo Eppner Lima.” The cases are also fully signed, numbered, and hallmarked. Overall, this minute repeater full hunter pocket watch is an excellent example of Montandon Freres’ craftsmanship and expertise in creating highly complicated watches. Creator: Montandon Freres Case Material: Gold,18k Gold Case Shape: Round Movement: Manual Wind Case Dimensions: Diameter: 55 mm (2.17 in) Place of Origin: Switzerland Period: 19th Century Date of Manufacture: 1880 Condition: Good