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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Keyless tourbillon pocket watch

F.A. Robert-Charrue 18k Gold Tourbillon Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This F.A. Robert-Charrue timepiece is an 18-karat gold keyless pocket watch featuring a one-minute chronometer tourbillon, completed in 1936. The watch is housed in a three-piece demi-bassine case, characterized by polished and glazed bezels and a matte band adorned with chased laurel foliage detailing in green. The dial consists of white enamel with Breguet-style numerals and a subsidiary seconds sub-dial, complemented by blued-steel antique hands. The movement is a 20-ligne nickelled construction with fausse côtes decoration, featuring a going barrel, a gold alloy escape wheel, and a spring detent chronometer escapement. It utilizes a three-arm polished steel carriage for the tourbillon, a cut bimetallic balance, and a Philipps curb spring with an index regulator. The movement is signed by the maker. The watch is described as being in mint condition and measuring 53mm in diameter.

Obverse view of the 18k gold pocket watch dial and the movement layout featuring the tourbillon carriage.
Obverse view of the 18k gold pocket watch dial and the movement layout featuring the tourbillon carriage. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Keyless tourbillon pocket watch
Maker / attribution
F.A. Robert-Charrue
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
398
Source-reported date
1936
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
1936

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 a three-piece 'demi-bassine' case manufactured from 18-karat gold. The exterior features polished and glazed bezels, contrasting with a matte band decorated with chased laurel foliage highlighted in green. The overall case diameter is 53mm.

The dial is composed of white enamel and displays Breguet-style numerals. A subsidiary seconds dial is positioned at the bottom, and the time is indicated by blued-steel 'antique' hands. The design maintains a classic aesthetic consistent with the period of production.

Evidence for this section
  • “C. Three piece, massive, "demi-bassine", polishecl and glazed bezels, matt band chased with laurel foliage highlighted in green.”
  • “D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, subsidiary seconds. Blued-steel Breguet "antique" hands.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is a 20-ligne nickelled caliber finished with 'fausse côtes' decoration. It is powered by a going barrel and a gilt train. The primary horological feature is a one-minute tourbillon, which utilizes a three-arm polished steel carriage.

The escapement is a spring detent chronometer type, paired with a gold alloy escape wheel. Regulation is provided by a cut bimetallic balance and a Philipps curb spring with an index regulator. The movement incorporates 11 jewels, one of which is a sapphire, and includes a polished steel bridge.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. 20-, nickelled with "fausse côtes" decoration, going barrel with gilt train, 11 jewels, 1 in sapphire, one minute tourbillon with 3-arm polished steel carriage”
  • “gold alloy escape wheel, spring detent, cut bimetallic balance, Philipps curb spring with index regulator.”

Provenance and Documentation

The watch was completed in 1936 by Fritz Robert-Charrue, an educator and watchmaker associated with the Technicum in Le Locle. The object is identified by the serial number 1936.

This specific watch is noted in horological literature and research, appearing in works by R. Meis, A. Chapuis, and J. C. Pellaton.

Evidence for this section
  • “F.A.Robert Charrue, Swiss, No. 1936, completed in 1936.”
  • “Litterature: Illustrated and describecl in R. Meis, Das Tourbillon, Munich 1986, page 184. A Chapuis, Grands Artisans de la Chronométrie, Neuchâtel, 1958, pl. 222. J. C. Pellaton, Le Tourbillon, Paris 1951.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific provenance of this watch between its completion in 1936 and its inclusion in the auction?
  • Are there further technical details regarding the gold alloy escape wheel performance?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for F.A. Robert-Charrue 18k Gold Tourbillon Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerF.A. Robert-Charrue“F.A.Robert Charrue”
Serial Number1936“No. 1936”
Completion Date1936“completed in 1936”
Case Material18 ct. gold“18 ct. gold”
Dial FeaturesWhite enamel with Breguet numerals“White enamel, Breguet numerals”
Movement Features20-ligne nickelled with fausse côtes“20-, nickelled with "fausse côtes" decoration”
EscapementSpring detent chronometer“spring detent”
Diameter53mm“Diam.53mm”

Visible details

  • Three-piece demi-bassine case construction
  • Tourbillon carriage with three polished steel arms
  • Fausse côtes decoration on the movement plate
  • White enamel dial with subsidiary seconds

Research qualifications

  • The auction description reports the condition as mint
  • The description identifies the watch as a masterpiece by the maker
  • The specific alloy composition of the gold is not detailed beyond 18ct

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

Consulted source

F.A.Robert Charrue, Swiss, No. 1936, completed in 1936. Exceptionally fine 18 ct. gold keyless watch with one minute chronometer tourbillon.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 691491a896

Terms in this record

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