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Swiss Quarter Repeating Cylinder Pocket Watch, 1830 — view 1 of 4
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Pocket Watches · Pocket watch

Swiss Quarter Repeating Cylinder Pocket Watch, 1830

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Unrecorded in source
Date
1830
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Pocket watch
Stock no.
Product 6106
Credit line
Dealer listing, WatchMuseum.org shop (product 6106)
Catalogue title (original)
SWISS Quarter Repeating Cylinder 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 6106), this is a pocket watch, made in Switzerland, dated 1830. The Atlas places it in the Precision & Scientific Horology period (1750 – 1850) of its Pocket Watches collection. The record is illustrated with 4 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

The “SWISS Quarter Repeating Cylinder Pocket Watch – 1830” is a magnificent testament to the exquisite craftsmanship of the 19th century, embodying both elegance and historical significance. This remarkable timepiece is housed in a luxurious gold open face case, radiating sophistication and timeless beauty. Its intricate small keywind gilt bar movement, complete with a suspended going barrel, showcases the meticulous artistry of its era. The watch features a plain cock with a blue steel regulator, complemented by a plain three-arm gilt balance and a blue steel spiral hairspring, enhancing its allure with every glance. The polished steel cylinder and escape wheel ensure flawless functionality, while the push pendant quarter repeating mechanism, equipped with two rectangular section polished steel gongs, allows for precise and effortless timekeeping. The silver engine turned dial, adorned with Roman numerals and gold Breguet hands, balances aesthetic appeal with practicality. The 18-carat open face case is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with intricately chased and engraved bezels and an engine-turned back, featuring a small monogram at its center for a touch of personalization. The gold push pendant, wound and set through the signed gold cuvette, completes this exquisite design. Despite its age, this watch remains in excellent condition, with the crispness of its engine turning reflecting the care it has received over the years. Signed by J F Bautte et Cie a Geneve and dating back to circa 1830, this 36 mm diameter timepiece is not only a collector’s item but also a harmonious blend of beauty, functionality, and historical legacy, making it a true gem for any connoisseur of fine horology. This stunning 19th Century Swiss quarter repeating cylinder watch is a true gem. Encased in a beautiful gold open face case, it exudes elegance and sophistication. The small keywind gilt bar movement with a suspended going barrel is a testament to the fine craftsmanship of the time. The plain cock with a blue steel regulator and the plain three arm gilt balance with a blue steel spiral hairspring add to its allure. With a polished steel cylinder and escape wheel, this watch functions flawlessly. The push pendant quarter repeating mechanism, with two rectangular section polished steel gongs, allows for easy and accurate timekeeping. The silver engine turned dial with Roman numerals and the gold Breguet hands are both aesthetically pleasing and practical. The 18 carat open face case is meticulously crafted, with deeply chased and engraved bezels and an engine turned back. The small monogram in the center adds a personal touch. The gold push pendant, wound and set through the signed gold cuvette, completes the overall design. This watch is not only a testament to the artistry of the past, but also remains in excellent overall condition. The crispness of the engine turning is a testament to the care with which it has been maintained. Overall, this timepiece is a true collector’s item that combines beauty, functionality, and history in one exquisite package. Signed :J F Bautte et Cie a Geneve Date of Manufacture: Circa 1830 Diameter: 36 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

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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