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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Tourbillon pocket chronometer

Albert Pellaton-Favre Attributed 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Chronometer with One-Minute Tourbillon Regulator

Partially verified

This 18K yellow gold hunting-case pocket chronometer measures 56.3 mm in diameter and is attributed by the source to Le Locle tourbillon maker Albert Pellaton-Favre. The watch features a white enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, an outer five-minute division track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o'clock, and diamond-set gold crucifix-type hands. According to the auction catalogue, it is powered by a 19 1/2-ligne Pellaton-type movement incorporating a three-arm equidistant carriage with an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement and a one-minute tourbillon regulator.

Front view of the 18K yellow gold hunting-case pocket chronometer with open cover displaying the enamel dial
Front view of the 18K yellow gold hunting-case pocket chronometer with open cover displaying the enamel dial — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Tourbillon pocket chronometer
Maker / attribution
Albert Pellaton-Favre
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
434
Source-reported date
circa 1900
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
14 539

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

Identity and Attribution

The timepiece is catalogued under the brand entry as 'Unsigned, attributable to Albert Pellaton-Favre, Le Locle' with an estimated date of circa 1900. Physical signatures are not documented on the watch, making the attribution reliant on stylistic movement features and owner history.

According to consignor notes reported in the auction catalogue, the watch was 'the personal watch of the tourbillon maker Albert Pellaton-Favre (1832-1914)' and conceals inside the cover a tintype photographic portrait identified as his wife, Louise-Joséphine Favre-Bulle (1837-1900). This interior photograph is not visible in the primary dial observation.

Evidence for this section
  • “Unsigned, attributable to Albert Pellaton-Favre, Le Locle”
  • “According to the current owner, the watch is the personal watch of the tourbillon maker Albert Pellaton-Favre (1832-1914) and the portrait on the tintype is that of his wife, Louise-Joséphine Favre-Bulle (1837-1900).”

Case and Dial Architecture

The pocket chronometer is built with an 18K yellow gold hunting case measuring 56.3 mm in diameter and catalogued with polished cover and case-back surfaces under Case No. 1 901. Direct observation shows a fluted winding crown and an oval bow positioned at 3 o'clock relative to the dial arrangement.

The white enamel dial displays radial Roman numerals, an outer minutes ring, and a subsidiary seconds dial situated at 6 o'clock. Hands are observed in a crucifix form with small set stones, matching the catalogued description of 'diamond-set gold “crucifix”-type hands.'

Evidence for this section
  • “18K yellow gold, hunting-case, keyless-winding, round-shaped, massive pocket chronometer, with subsidiary seconds at 6 and a one-minute tourbillon regulator.”
  • “White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals; diamond-set gold “crucifix”-type hands.”
  • “Fluted winding crown with an oval bow positioned at 3 o'clock relative to the dial orientation.”

Reported Movement Construction

The movement mechanism is not exposed in the provided dial view. The catalogue lists it as a rhodium-plated Pellaton-type calibre measuring 19 1/2 lignes (also noted as 19''' in the narrative text) and marked 'Movement No. No. 14 539 (“32790” engraved with an etching needle)'. It is described as having a curved centre bridge, going barrel, gold wheel train, and a screwed gold chaton on the central wheel.

The regulating organ is reported as a one-minute tourbillon regulator fitted with a three-arm equidistant Pellaton carriage and an Earnshaw-type spring detent escapement. Additional reported components include a cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws, a blued steel hairspring with a Phillips terminal curve, an amplitude control device, a gold screwed chaton end-stone, and a polished steel index-regulator with a gold scale plate.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement No. No. 14 539 (“32790” engraved with an etching needle)”
  • “19’’’ , Pellaton-type calibre, rhodium-plated, curved centre bridge, going barrel, gold train of wheels, gold screwed-chaton (setting) on the central wheel, three-arm equidistant Pellaton carriage with Earnshaw type spring detent escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with Phillips terminal curve and amplitude control device, gold screwed-chaton end-stone, polished steel index-regulator with gold scale plate.”

Open research questions

  • What workshop or inventory origin does the secondary hand-etched number '32790' indicate on the movement plates?
  • Can additional archival or photographic records confirm the mounting and condition of the reported tintype portrait inside the hunting cover?
  • Do historical records or bulletin results from the Neuchâtel Observatory reference movement number 14 539 or case number 1 901 under Albert Pellaton-Favre?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Albert Pellaton-Favre Attributed 18K Yellow Gold Pocket Chronometer with One-Minute Tourbillon Regulator
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
EscapementSpring detent escapement“Earnshaw type spring detent escapement”
Movement Number14 539“Movement No. No. 14 539”
Case Number1 901“Case No. 1 901”
Diameter56.3 mm“Diameter 56.3 mm”
Case Material18K yellow gold“18K yellow gold, hunting-case, keyless-winding, round-shaped, massive pocket chronometer”
Total WeightApproximately 161.2 g“Weight 161.2 gr. (approx.)”
Secondary Movement Marking32790 (etched with needle)““32790” engraved with an etching needle”
Calibre Dimensions19 1/2 lignes (also listed as 19''')“Caliber 19’’’ ½, Pellaton-type, one-minute tourbillon regulator, spring detent escapement”

Visible details

  • Open yellow-gold hunting case revealing a white enamel dial with black Roman hour numerals.
  • Crucifix-style hour and minute hands embellished with small set stones.
  • Subsidiary seconds dial positioned above the 6 o'clock mark with Arabic numerals.
  • Fluted winding crown with an oval bow positioned at 3 o'clock relative to the dial orientation.

Research qualifications

  • The watch is unsigned; attribution to Albert Pellaton-Favre is source-reported based on movement architecture and provenance notes.
  • The interior tintype portrait described in the source is not visible in the front dial photograph.
  • Movement details including the tourbillon carriage and escapement are not visible in the provided primary image.

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

Consulted source

Albert Pellaton-Favre Pocket chronometer, one-minute tourbillon regulator, spring detent escapement; 18K yellow gold | Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces | Monaco, July 21, 2021

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 47ed2ef715

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

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