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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Astra Quarter Repeating Silver Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This late nineteenth-century Swiss open-face pocket watch features a quarter-repeater mechanism activated by a slide located on the side of the silver case. The watch is powered by a keyless-wound, three-quarter plate gilt movement, which includes a compensation balance, an overcoil hairspring, and a club-foot lever escapement. The mechanism strikes a single polished steel gong, with a single hammer providing two consecutive strikes for each quarter hour. The white enamel dial is of a clip-on design, featuring Roman numerals, blued steel hands, and a subsidiary seconds dial at the six o'clock position. The silver case is complemented by a gilt crown and an interior silver dust cover (cuvette). The movement plate is signed with the Astra trademark and the Swiss patent number 10090, related to a registration from April 1895.

Front view of the Astra silver open-face pocket watch showing the white enamel dial, Roman numerals, and subsidiary seconds.
Front view of the Astra silver open-face pocket watch showing the white enamel dial, Roman numerals, and subsidiary seconds. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Carl Hahlweg (Astra trademark)
Reference
10090
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1895
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

Movement and Complication

The watch is equipped with a quarter-repeater complication that strikes a single polished steel gong. The mechanism is engaged via a sliding lever located on the exterior of the case. Upon activation, the hammer strikes twice for every quarter hour.

The movement is a keyless, three-quarter plate design with a gilt finish. Technical features include a compensation balance, a blued steel overcoil hairspring, a polished steel regulator, and a club-foot lever escapement. The movement is marked with the Astra brand name and the Swiss patent number 10090, dated to April 1895.

Evidence for this section
  • “تجهیز آن به سیستم تکرارکننده ربع ساعت (Quarter repeater)”
  • “مکانیزم زنگ ساعت با حرکت دادن یک کشویی (Slide) واقع در لبه بدنه قاب فعال می‌شود و بر روی یک گنگ (Gong) تکی از فولاد صیقلی نواخته می‌شود”
  • “بر روی پلیت موتور، علامت تجاری ASTRA به همراه شماره پتنت سوئیسی ۱۰۰۹۰ (که به ثبت آوریل ۱۸۹۵ مرتبط است) حکاکی شده است.”

Case and Dial

The timepiece is presented in an open-face silver case with a simple, polished finish. The watch is fitted with a gilt crown and a hinged inner silver dust cover, or cuvette, intended to protect the movement. The entire assembly includes a silver pendant and bow for attachment.

The dial is constructed of white enamel and is of a clip-on design. It features Roman numeral hour markers and blued steel hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب نقره‌ای ساعت دارای ساختاری ساده و صیقلی بوده و به همراه لچکی یا سرکوک کوک طلایی‌رنگ (Gilt crown)، درپوش داخلی محافظ موتور (Cuvette) از جنس نقره و حلقه آویز نقره‌ای تکمیل شده است.”
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس مینای سفید با ساختار فشاری (Clip-on) طراحی شده و وضعیت خوانایی بسیار شفافی دارد. این صفحه دارای ارقام یونانی، عقربه‌های فولادی آبی‌رنگ و صفحه فرعی ثانیه‌شمار در موقعیت ساعت شش است.”

Condition and Attribution

The watch is attributed to the late nineteenth century, specifically circa 1895, based on the associated patent date. The documentation notes that the watch has not been evaluated for operational status or service history.

Prospective owners are encouraged to independently assess the integrity of the repeating mechanism, the condition of the springs and internal gong, the state of the casing hinges, and the surface of the enamel dial for potential hairline fractures.

Evidence for this section
  • “ساعت جیبی آنتیک سوئیسی متعلق به اواخر قرن نوزدهم میلادی بوده”
  • “در متن منبع اشاره‌ای به سابقه سرویس یا وضعیت کارکرد فعلی ساعت نشده است”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer identity linked to the 'Astra' brand for this movement?
  • Does the serial number exist on the case to corroborate the movement's patent date of 1895?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Astra Quarter Repeating Silver Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Patent number10090“شماره پتنت سوئیسی ۱۰۰۹۰”
Movement typeKeyless, three-quarter plate gilt“موتور ساعت دارای پرداخت طلاکاری (Gilt) با ساختار سه‌چهارم پلیت و بدون نیاز به کلید (Keyless)”
EscapementClub-foot lever“سیستم گریز اهرمی کلاب‌فوت (Club foot lever escapement)”
Repeating mechanismQuarter repeater“تجهیز آن به سیستم تکرارکننده ربع ساعت (Quarter repeater)”
Case materialSilver“قاب درپوش‌باز (Open face) از جنس نقره”

Visible details

  • Case features a slide mechanism for repeating function
  • Movement is signed with the Astra trademark and patent 10090
  • Dial includes a subsidiary seconds register at the six o'clock position
  • Movement utilizes a three-quarter plate architecture with gilt finish

Research qualifications

  • The auction description indicates the service history and functional status of the repeating mechanism are unknown
  • The auction description advises independent verification of the mechanical condition, springs, gong, and dial integrity

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

Consulted source

Patent Quarter Repeating Silver Lever

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record c11f83cc3a

Terms in this record

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

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