Pocket watch · Minute-repeating chronograph with triple date and moon phases

A. Huguenin Large Pocket Watch with Complications

Partially verified

This large pocket watch is a keyless-winding hunting-case example attributed to A. The watch features a 20 ligne movement, potentially utilizing an ébauche by LeCoultre. It is housed in a 0.900 silver niello case with pink gold accents, measuring approximately 61 mm in diameter. The decorative exterior includes foliage-patterned niello work, with an inlaid pink gold motif on the cover depicting a terrestrial globe alongside scientific and astronomical instruments. Functionally, it is equipped with six horological complications, including a minute-repeater, a quarter-second chronograph, triple calendar displays for date, day, and month, and moon phase indications. The white enamel dial is accented by radial Roman numerals and blued steel Breguet hands. The total approximate weight is 211.6 grams, and the timepiece is accompanied by an original fitted box and a matching chain.

A. Huguenin minute-repeater chronograph with triple date and moon phases, featuring niello case work and an inlaid pink gold globe motif. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category: Pocket watch · Minute-repeating chronograph with triple date and moon phases
Maker / attribution: A. Hugenin (or Hugonin)
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 176
Source-reported date: Circa 1890
Source-reported place: Switzerland
Source-reported serial: 10 145

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and Dial

The timepiece features a large, round-shaped hunting-case constructed from 0.900 silver niello and pink gold. The cover and back are decorated with a taille-douce engraving technique featuring a foliage pattern. Centered on the front cover is an inlaid pink gold motif, which represents a terrestrial globe encircled by various astronomical and scientific instruments.

The dial is finished in white enamel and is set with radial Roman numerals. Time is indicated by a set of blued steel Breguet-style hands. Subsidiary dials are positioned for secondary functions, including the day of the week at the 3 o'clock position, the month of the year at 6 o'clock, and the date of the month at 9 o'clock. A moon phase aperture is located at 12 o'clock, with subsidiary seconds featured at 6 o'clock.

Evidence for this section

“Cover and case-back engraved in taille - douce (fine cut) in niello -technique with foliage”
“White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals; blued steel “Breguet” hands.”

Movement and Escapement

The watch is driven by a 20 ligne, rhodium-plated movement featuring a going barrel. The mechanism utilizes a straight-line lever escapement and a cut bimetallic compensated balance fitted with gold poising screws. Regulation is controlled by a polished steel index-regulator, and the balance spring is of the blued steel type with a terminal curve.

The complications are integrated into the movement structure, with the repeating mechanism located on the main plate underneath the dial, and the chronograph components mounted on the top plate.

Evidence for this section

“Movement 20’’’, rhodium-plated, going barrel, straight-line lever escapement”
“repeater work on the main plate, under the dial; chronograph work on the top plate.”

Complications and Condition

The watch incorporates six distinct horological complications. These include a minute-repeater that strikes on two steel gongs, operated via a slide on the case-band at 6 o'clock. A quarter-second chronograph is managed by an olive-shaped push-piece at 12 o'clock. The calendar functions include the day, month, and date, with English language indicators, alongside a lunar phase display.

The case is described as good, while the dial exhibits minor chipping. The watch is sold with its original fitted box, an additional glass, and a coordinating silver niello and pink gold chain weighing approximately 27.7 grams.

Evidence for this section

“Minute-repeater by two hammers on two steel gongs”
“Half-instantaneous date of the month (subsidiary dial at 9 o’clock)”
“Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent”

Open research questions

What is the specific significance of the 'A A H' case maker mark in relation to 19th-century Le Locle case makers?
Can the provenance of this specific 20 ligne movement be confirmed as a LeCoultre ebauche through archival analysis of serial 10 145?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for A. Huguenin Large Pocket Watch with Complications
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	A. Huguenin	“A. HUGENIN (OR HUGONIN)”
Year	Circa 1890	“Circa 1890”
Case Material	0.900 Silver niello and pink gold	“Silver niello (0.900) and pink gold”
Movement Caliber	20 ligne	“Caliber 20’’’”
Complications	6	“six horological complications”
Weight	211.6 grams	“211.6 gr. (approx.)”
Movement Serial	10 145	“No. 10 145”
Case Serial	12	“Case No. No. 12”

Visible details

Case decorated in niello technique with foliage and an inlaid pink gold globe
Triple date and moon phase display on white enamel dial
Minute repeater slide located on the case-band at 6 o'clock
Chronograph push-piece positioned at 12 o'clock

Research qualifications

Movement caliber ebauche attribution to LeCoultre is cited as probable rather than certain
Case maker mark 'A A H' is suggested as likely being from Le Locle

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

A. HUGENIN (OR HUGONIN) Large pocket watch, minute-repeater, chronograph, triple date, moon phases; silver niello and pink gold

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record c0e5aedecc

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.