Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Decorative Gold Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Swiss pocket watch, dated to the early 19th century, features a quarter-repeating mechanism. The open-face case is constructed from three-colored gold and ornamented with relief foliage and arabesque motifs. A split ring in matching three-colored gold accompanies the watch. The gold dial is finished with engine-turned (guilloché) decoration and displays an offset chapter ring with Roman numerals. The blued steel hands are in the Breguet style. The bar-style movement is gilt-finished and wound by key. It incorporates a suspended going barrel, a three-arm brass balance, blued steel hairspring, and a steel cylinder escapement. The movement is fitted with a polished steel cock for the balance, featuring a garnet endstone, and a blued steel regulator. The striking mechanism operates on two rectangular polished steel gongs and is activated by the pendant. The interior contains a plain gold cuvette with winding apertures.

Front view of the gold quarter-repeater pocket watch showing the offset dial and three-colored gold decorative case.
Front view of the gold quarter-repeater pocket watch showing the offset dial and three-colored gold decorative case. — 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
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
early 19th century
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 pocket watch is housed in an open-face case rendered in three-colored gold. The exterior surfaces are adorned with relief carvings of botanical and arabesque patterns, providing a textured appearance. The piece includes a matching three-colored gold split ring for suspension.

The dial is also composed of gold and exhibits precise engine-turned surface work. Roman numerals are arranged on an offset chapter ring, shifting the time display from the center. The blued steel hands follow the Breguet design, contrasting with the gold dial surface. Access to the movement is provided by an internal plain gold cuvette, which contains necessary apertures for winding.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب ساعت به سبک روباز (Open Face) از طلای سه رنگ ساخته شده و با نقوش برجسته گیاهی و اسلیمی آراسته شده است.”
  • “صفحه ساعت از جنس طلا و دارای تزئینات گیلوشه یا موتورچرخان (Engine turned) بسیار ظریف است. بر روی این صفحه، حلقه اعداد رومی به‌صورت خارج از مرکز (Offset chapter ring) طراحی شده”

Movement and Mechanism

The watch utilizes a bar-style movement architecture with a gilt finish. It is powered by a key-wind system utilizing a suspended going barrel. The technical assembly includes a simple three-arm brass balance, a blued steel hairspring, and a steel cylinder escapement. A polished steel cock supports the balance and contains a garnet endstone.

The quarter-repeating function is controlled via the pendant. Actuating this mechanism causes the watch to strike on two rectangular polished steel gongs housed within the case. Adjustment is managed through a blued steel regulator located on the movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای معماری پل‌های مجزا (Bar movement) با روکش طلایی (Gilt) و سیستم کوک با کلید (Keywind) است”
  • “سازوکار تکرارکننده ربع‌زن با فشردن پندانت فعال شده و بر روی دو گونگ با مقطع مستطیلی از فولاد پولیش‌شده ضربه می‌زند.”

Condition and Maintenance

The provided documentation indicates that the current functional state of the watch, including the accuracy of timekeeping and the operational integrity of the striking gongs, is not verified.

Due to the age of the instrument, collectors are advised to have a professional watchmaker inspect the cylinder escapement, the specific components of the quarter-repeating striking mechanism, and the condition of the hinges on the gold case prior to sustained use.

Evidence for this section
  • “وضعیت دقیق کارکرد روزانه، سلامت گونگ‌ها و دقت زمان‌سنجی تصریح نشده است”
  • “توصیه می‌شود پیش از کاربرد مداوم، سلامت چرخ‌دنگ سیلندری، اصالت و سلامت قطعات سازوکار زنگ‌زن، و عدم سایش مفاصل لولایی قاب طلا توسط ساعت‌ساز متخصص بررسی شود.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer or maker identification behind the movement?
  • Does the serial number exist internally to assist in dating the manufacture beyond the 'early 19th century' estimate?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Decorative Gold Quarter Repeater Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker locationSwitzerland“ساعت‌سازی سوئیس”
Case materialThree-colored gold“طلای سه رنگ”
Dial decorationEngine turned“دارای تزئینات گیلوشه یا موتورچرخان (Engine turned) بسیار ظریف است”
Escapement typeSteel cylinder“چرخ‌دنگ سیلندری از فولاد پولیش‌شده”
Striking mechanismQuarter repeater“قابلیت پیچیده زنگ‌زن ربع‌ساعت (Quarter Repeater)”
Balance jewelsGarnet“نگین لعل (Garnet)”
Winding systemKey-wind“سیستم کوک با کلید (Keywind)”
Hands styleBreguet“به فرم کلاسیک برگه (Breguet)”

Visible details

  • Case decorated with three-colored gold relief foliage and flowers
  • Offset Roman numeral chapter ring on an engine-turned dial
  • Two-gong striking mechanism triggered via pendant
  • Key-wind movement with bar construction

Research qualifications

  • Operational status of striking mechanism and timekeeping accuracy are not confirmed
  • Long-term mechanical stability of cylinder escapement requires specialist assessment

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

Consulted source

Decorative Gold Quarter Repeater with Offset Dial

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record b98cc826e0

Terms in this record

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

Other quarter repeating pocket watch records