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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

Breguet & Fils a Paris Minute-Repeating Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 18K multicolored gold pocket watch, signed by Breguet & Fils a Paris, features a minute-repeating complication. Produced in Switzerland, the watch is cased for the English market and bears Chester hallmarks dated 1833. The watch possesses a four-body bassine et filets case, with the pendant, bow, and bezels decorated in deeply chased shells, flowers, and scrolls, complemented by an engine-turned back. The dial, also in gold, features engine-turning, applied gold radial Roman numerals, and vari-colored gold foliate decoration. Mechanically, the watch is driven by a 43 mm frosted gilt, full-plate movement. It utilizes a fusée and chain transmission with a verge escapement. Timekeeping is managed by a three-arm brass balance with a blued steel flat balance-spring and a pierced, chased continental balance cock. The minute-repeating function is activated via the pendant and operates on two blued steel gongs.

Front view showing the dial and case detail, superimposed with a view of the movement.
Front view showing the dial and case detail, superimposed with a view of the movement. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Breguet & Fils a Paris
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
262
Source-reported date
1833
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 Construction and Aesthetics

The watch is housed in a four-body 'bassine et filets' case crafted from 18K multicolored gold. The exterior back of the case is engine-turned, providing a textured finish that contrasts with the high-relief decorative elements found elsewhere on the piece. The bezels, pendant, and bow are cast and finished with deep, intricate chasing that incorporates floral, shell, and scroll designs.

The construction and assay of the case are tied to the English market, as evidenced by the Chester hallmarks indicating a date of 1833. The design elements of the case represent an integration of multi-colored gold applications, a decorative approach that extends to the dial surface, which features both engine-turning and applied gold foliate patterns.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, ?bassine et filets?, the bezels, pendant and bow cast and deeply chased with shells, flowers and scrolls, engine-turnedback.”
  • “Made in Switzerland and cased for the English market, Chester hallmarks for 1833.”

Movement and Complication

The movement measures 43 mm and is constructed as a frosted gilt, full-plate caliber. It employs a traditional fusée and chain power transmission system paired with a verge escapement. The oscillator consists of a three-arm brass balance wheel paired with a blued steel flat balance-spring, controlled by a pierced and chased balance cock in the continental style.

The minute-repeating complication is a primary feature of this watch. It is engineered to sound the hours, quarter-hours, and minutes upon activation. The mechanism triggers two blued steel gongs housed within the case. The activation system is integrated into the pendant, allowing the user to initiate the repeating sequence by depressing it.

Evidence for this section
  • “frosted gilt, full-plate, fusée with chain, verge escapement”
  • “three-arm brass balance, blued steel flat balance-spring, piercedand chased continental type balance cock”
  • “repeating on two blued steel gongs activated by depressing the pendant.”

Dial and Hands

The dial is composed of gold and maintains a cohesive aesthetic with the case through the use of engine-turning and multi-colored gold ornamentation. The chapter ring features applied gold radial Roman numerals set against the engine-turned surface. The central area of the dial is adorned with vari-colored gold foliate decoration, providing a decorative focal point.

The time is indicated by a set of gold hands. These hands are positioned to align with the applied Roman numerals, maintaining the traditional legibility expected of the period's horological work while reinforcing the high-karat gold theme of the overall construction.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold, engine-turned, applied gold radial Roman numerals, vari-colored gold foliate decoration.”
  • “Gold hands.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific relationship between the French maker Breguet & Fils and the English casemaker responsible for the Chester 1833 hallmarks?
  • Are there archival records at the Breguet museum confirming the production of this specific caliber for the English market during the 1830s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Breguet & Fils a Paris Minute-Repeating Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerBreguet & Fils a Paris“Breguet & Fils a Paris.”
Material18K multicolored gold“18K multicolored gold pocket watch.”
HallmarksChester 1833“Chester hallmarks for 1833.”
Movement typeFull-plate verge with fusée“frosted gilt, full-plate, fusée with chain, verge escapement”
Repeating mechanismMinute-repeating on two gongs“repeating on two blued steel gongs activated by depressing the pendant.”
Dial decorationEngine-turned gold with foliate relief“Gold, engine-turned, applied gold radial Roman numerals, vari-colored gold foliate decoration.”
Case styleFour-body bassine et filets“Four-body, ?bassine et filets?”

Visible details

  • Case back features intricate engine-turned pattern
  • Pendant, bow and bezels are cast with floral and shell relief motifs
  • Dial center displays multi-colored gold foliate relief
  • Movement visible in background of photograph shows repeating train components

Research qualifications

  • The source notes the movement requires an overhaul, though specific mechanical failures are not detailed.
  • The exact nature of the relationship between the movement production and the Chester casing remains described only as 'cased for the English market'.

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

Consulted source

'Minute-repeating' Breguet & Fils a Paris. Made in Switzerland and cased for the English market, Chester hallmarks for 1833. Very fine and extremely rare, minute-repeating, 18K multicolored gold pocket watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 5b25984185

Terms in this record

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

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