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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Ageron A Paris 20K Varicolored Gold Quarter-Repeating Watch

Partially verified

This 20K varicolored gold quarter-repeating watch, identified by movement number 2321, is attributed to Ageron A Paris and dates to 1745-46 based on Paris hallmarks. The piece features a two-body case by master casemaker Pierre-Louis Foulle, decorated with diamond-set applied motifs including musical instruments and floral garlands. The bezel and thumb piece are also set with diamonds. The watch employs a white enamel dial with Roman numerals and Arabic five-minute indicators, with a winding aperture at 2 o'clock and diamond-set hands. The 30 mm hinged movement is a frosted gilt full-plate construction with cylindrical pillars, featuring a fusee and chain, a verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, and a continental cock. It includes an à toc quarter-repeating mechanism striking on two gold blocks, with an additional à tact option enabled by a gold pin at 8 o'clock. Signatures are present on the dial, movement, and bate levee ring.

The back of the 20K varicolored gold watch showing the applied diamond-set musical instruments and floral decoration, with the diamond-set bezel and thumb piece.
The back of the 20K varicolored gold watch showing the applied diamond-set musical instruments and floral decoration, with the diamond-set bezel and thumb piece. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Ageron A Paris
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
437
Source-reported date
1745-46
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
2321

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 Design

The watch features a two-body case crafted from 20K varicolored gold, attributed to the master casemaker Pierre-Louis Foulle. The exterior of the back is heavily decorated with applied varicolored gold musical instruments and floral garlands, all set with diamonds. The case aesthetic is further enhanced by a diamond-set bezel and a thumb piece constructed to operate the repeating function.

The dial is composed of white enamel, displaying radial Roman numerals for the hours and outer minute divisions with Arabic numerals at five-minute intervals. A winding aperture is positioned at 2 o'clock, and the watch is equipped with diamond-set hands. The overall diameter of the object is 39 mm.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Two-body, ?Louis XV?, by master casemaker Pierre-Louis Foulle, back decorated with diamond-set applied varicolored musical instruments and garlands of flowers, diamond-set bezel with diamond-set thumb piece.”
  • “D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute Arabic markers, winding aperture at 2 o?clock. Diamond-set hands.”

Movement and Mechanism

The watch is powered by a 30 mm hinged, frosted gilt full-plate movement featuring cylindrical pillars. The gear train is driven by a fusee and chain, regulated by a verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment. The balance is constructed of brass and utilizes a flat balance spring, overseen by a continental cock.

The timepiece serves as a quarter-repeater, striking on two gold blocks fixed to the case, triggered by the pendant. It additionally includes an 'à tact' option, activated via a gold pin located at the 8 o'clock position on the case. Signatures indicating the maker are located on the dial, movement, and the bate levee ring.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. 30 mm, hinged, frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment, brass balance with flat balance spring, continental cock, repeating on two gold blocks fixed to the case by depressing the pendant, à tact option via gold pin at 8 o”
  • “Signed on dial, movement, and bate levee ring.”

Condition and Attribution

The object is associated with Ageron A Paris and marked with Paris hallmarks corresponding to 1745-46. The auction description lists the condition as AAA Excellent for the overall grade, while the individual components are graded as 3 for the case and 3* for the movement.

The case attribution to Pierre-Louis Foulle is stated directly within the cataloguing. No other provenance or historical documentation is provided in the source text.

Evidence for this section
  • “Ageron A Paris, No. 2321, with Paris hallmarks for 1745-46.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense Dial: 3”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific historical significance of the 'à tact' repeating mechanism during this period?
  • Are there extant examples of other works by Pierre-Louis Foulle that share identical decorative motifs to this watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ageron A Paris 20K Varicolored Gold Quarter-Repeating Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAgeron A Paris“Ageron A Paris”
Movement Serial Number2321“No. 2321”
Dating1745-46“Paris hallmarks for 1745-46”
CasemakerPierre-Louis Foulle“by master casemaker Pierre-Louis Foulle”
Material20K varicolored gold“20K varicolored gold”
Diameter39 mm“Diam. 39 mm”
Repeating typeQuarter-repeating á toc with à tact option“quarter-repeating á toc watch with à tact option”
EscapementVerge“verge escapement with micrometric potence adjustment”

Visible details

  • Case back features applied varicolored gold and diamond-set musical instruments and garlands
  • Diamond-set thumb piece for the repeating mechanism
  • Distinctive gold pin for the 'à tact' repeating function at 8 o'clock
  • Radial Roman numerals and Arabic five-minute divisions on the enamel dial

Research qualifications

  • Condition report notes the movement is in 'Good' condition but that an overhaul is recommended
  • Attribution of the case to Pierre-Louis Foulle is presented as a firm identification in the auction description

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

Consulted source

Ageron A Paris, No. 2321, with Paris hallmarks for 1745-46. Very fine 20K varicolored gold and diamond-set quarter-repeating á toc watch with à tact option.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record d743ba586e

Terms in this record

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

Other quarter repeating pocket watch records