
Pocket Watches · Pocket watch
Quarter Repeating Three Colour Gold Swiss Verge, c. 1790
- Maker / attribution
- Unrecorded in source
- Date
- c. 1790
- Historical period
- Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Pocket watch
- Materials / technique
- gold
- Dealer
- WatchMuseum.org shop
- Stock no.
- Product 4655
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 4655)
- Catalogue title (original)
- Quarter Repeating Three Colour Gold Swiss Verge (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 4655), this is a pocket watch, made in Switzerland, dated c. 1790. The Atlas places it in the Precision & Scientific Horology period (1750 – 1850) of its Pocket Watches collection. Materials and techniques recorded by the source: gold. The record is illustrated with 5 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 into the elegance of the late 18th century with the QUARTER REPEATING THREE COLOUR GOLD SWISS VERGE – Circa 1790, an exquisite masterpiece of horology that showcases the pinnacle of Swiss craftsmanship. This remarkable pocket watch, featuring a rare quarter repeating verge movement, is a testament to the artistry and precision of its era. The full plate gilt fusee movement is a marvel, adorned with a finely pierced and engraved bridge cock and a plain three-arm gilt balance, complemented by a blue steel spiral hairspring for impeccable timekeeping. The silver regulator dial enhances its elegance, while the push pendant mechanism allows for effortless quarter repeating on a bell, adding both functionality and charm. The signed white enamel dial, decorated with Roman and Arabic numerals, is paired with sophisticated pierced gilt hands, all encased in a stunning gold consular case with three-color gold decoration. The back of the case features an enchanting oval scene of a cherub and a dog, infusing the timepiece with whimsy and character. The gold push pendant’s discreet piercing ensures the bell’s clear sound when the repeating function is activated. Signed by Moricand & Conpagnie and measuring 47 mm in diameter and 11 mm in depth, this Swiss quarter repeating verge pocket watch is a true treasure, perfect for any discerning collector seeking a blend of exceptional craftsmanship and decorative beauty. This exquisite late 18th Century Swiss pocket watch is a true masterpiece. It features a quarter repeating verge movement, making it a rare and highly desirable timepiece. The full plate gilt fusee movement is beautifully crafted, with a finely pierced and engraved bridge cock and a plain three arm gilt balance. The balance is equipped with a blue steel spiral hairspring, ensuring accurate timekeeping. The silver regulator dial adds a touch of elegance to the watch, while the push pendant allows for effortless quarter repeating on a bell. This feature adds an extra layer of functionality to the watch, making it even more impressive. The signed white enamel dial is adorned with Roman and Arabic numerals, while the pierced gilt hands add a touch of sophistication. The gold consular case is truly stunning, with its applied three colour gold decoration. On the back of the case, there is an oval scene depicting a cherub and a dog, adding a touch of charm and whimsy to the timepiece. The gold push pendant has discreet piercing, which allows the bell to sound clearly when the repeating function is activated. Overall, this Swiss quarter repeating verge pocket watch is a true treasure, combining exceptional craftsmanship with exquisite decorative details. It would make a prized addition to any collection. Signed Moricand & Conpagnie Circa 1790 Diameter 47 mm Depth 11 mm
Historical context
Precision & Scientific Horology (1750 – 1850)
Harrison solves longitude; Mudge invents the lever; Breguet's Paris workshop defines the modern watch.
From 1750 to 1850 the watch became a precision instrument. Mudge's lever escapement, the cylinder escapement, Lépine's thin bar calibre, Breguet's innovations (overcoil, tourbillon, perpétuelle) and the pocket chronometer of Arnold and Earnshaw all date from this period, while verge watches remained common in cheaper production.
Read the period in the timelineMore pocket watches from this periodEarlier: Early Modern Horology
Atlas type guide
Verge and pair-cased watches
After Christiaan Huygens and Robert Hooke applied the balance spring around 1675, the verge watch became a reasonably reliable timekeeper and the minute hand became standard. Through the eighteenth century the typical English watch was a pair-cased verge: a fusee movement with a pierced, engraved balance cock, housed in an inner case and a separate protective outer case, often of repoussé gold, shagreen, tortoiseshell or enamel.
French watches of the same period were thicker 'oignons', later replaced by elegant thinner watches following Jean-Antoine Lépine's bar-bridge calibre of c. 1770. Dutch, Swiss and German makers supplied international markets, and verge watches were made until the mid-nineteenth century as cheaper alternatives to the cylinder and lever.
What to look for
- The pierced balance cock on the backplate: winged (continental) or with a foot (English); its style dates the watch.
- Fusee and chain visible through the movement; key winding through the dial (early) or case back.
- Hallmarks inside English silver or gold cases, which give a date letter.
- Maker's name and serial number engraved on the backplate; watch papers inside outer cases.
- Enamel dials (after c. 1720) versus earlier champlevé metal dials.
Dating clues
- Champlevé dials: c. 1680–1730; white enamel dials thereafter.
- English case hallmarks give the year of assay to within a year.
- Verge watches persisted in cheap production until c. 1850.
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:Verge escapement
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