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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

Anonymous Swiss Minute-Repeating Perpetual Calendar Chronograph

Partially verified

This Swiss-made 18-karat gold hunting-cased watch, dated circa 1890, features a complex array of horological complications. The movement is a 20-ligne caliber, frosted and gilt, containing 31 jewels and equipped with a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance, and a Breguet balance spring. The timekeeper integrates a minute-repeater mechanism activated by a slide in the case band, as well as a chronograph function with visible works and an associated push-piece. The white enamel dial is appointed with an outer minute track and a chronograph ring, complemented by subsidiary dials displaying the days of the week, dates, and months with a leap-year cycle. An integrated aperture for moon-phase display is located within the seconds sub-dial. The 56 mm case is constructed in a four-body "bassine et filets" style with a polished gold finish and internal gold cuvette.

Front view of the 18-karat gold hunting-cased watch with the cover open, exposing the white enamel dial and subsidiary astronomical indicators.
Front view of the 18-karat gold hunting-cased watch with the cover open, exposing the white enamel dial and subsidiary astronomical indicators. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
360
Source-reported date
circa 1890
Source-reported place
Switzerland

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 watch is housed in an 18-karat gold hunting case, specified as a four-body "bassine et filets" construction with a polished finish. The design includes an internal gold cuvette. The dial is composed of white enamel, featuring Roman numerals for the primary time indication.

The layout includes subsidiary dials dedicated to the calendar functions: week, days, and months, with a specific integration of the leap-year cycle. A sub-dial for seconds incorporates an aperture for the moon-phase display. Outer rings on the dial facilitate the reading of chronograph and minute indicators, marked by blued-steel "pear" hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Four body, massive, "bassine et filets", polished. Gold cuvette.”
  • “D. White enamel, outer minute and chronograph rings, subsidiary dials for week, days, months with leap year cycle and seconds with inner moon-phase aperture. Bluedsteel "pear" hands.”

Movement and Complications

The watch is powered by a 20-ligne frosted and gilt movement containing 31 jewels. Its technical architecture includes a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance, and a Breguet balance spring.

The timepiece functions include a minute-repeating system, which operates on gongs via a slide positioned in the case band. Additionally, a chronograph mechanism with visible work is included, controlled by a dedicated push-piece located in the case band.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. 20"', frosted and gilt movement, 31 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring.”
  • “Repeating on gongs with slide in the band. Chronograph with visible work, push-piece in the band.”

Condition and Attributions

The auction description provides a status of the object's physical condition, noting it is in very good condition. The object is attributed to an anonymous Swiss maker around the year 1890.

No specific manufacturer or workshop marks are noted in the provided documentation, and the origin is based on general Swiss attribution for the time period.

Evidence for this section
  • “Anonymous, Swiss, circa 1890.”
  • “In very gooc condition.”

Open research questions

  • Which specific Swiss workshop produced this 20-ligne caliber in circa 1890?
  • Does the serial number exist internally on the cuvette or case back that might reveal the movement blank supplier?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Anonymous Swiss Minute-Repeating Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerAnonymous“Anonymous, Swiss, circa 1890.”
Movement size20 ligne“M. 20"',”
Jewel count31 jewels“31 jewels,”
Case styleFour body, bassine et filets“C. Four body, massive, "bassine et filets",”
ComplicationsMinute-repeating, moon-phase astronomical perpetual calendar and chronograph“minute-repeating, moon-phase astronomical perpetual calendar and chronograph.”
Case material18 ct. gold“18 ct. gold hunting-cased”
Diameter56 mm“Diam. 56 mm.”
ConditionVery good“In very gooc condition.”

Visible details

  • Case features a "bassine et filets" design
  • Dial displays perpetual calendar and moon-phase indicators
  • Minute-repeater is operated via a slide on the case band
  • Hands are crafted in blued steel with a "pear" shape

Research qualifications

  • Maker is not identified beyond the Swiss origin
  • No specific provenance or history provided

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

Consulted source

Anonymous, Swiss, circa 1890. Fine 18 ct. gold hunting-cased keyless watch with minute-repeating, moon-phase astronomical perpetual calendar and chronograph.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record f54bff1315

Terms in this record

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

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