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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating calendar pocket watch

F. Rotig Havre Gold Quarter Repeating Calendar Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 18k rose gold, keyless open-face pocket watch was made by F. Rotig of Le Havre, France, around 1880. Measuring 50mm in diameter, the watch features an elaborate engine-turned case back with an enamel design depicting lions, a crescent moon, and a star, alongside an inscription reading 'Ameeroodeen Tyabjee'. The white enamel dial incorporates Roman numerals and three subsidiary dials for date, month, and seconds. Uniquely, it includes a compass and a mercury Fahrenheit thermometer integrated into the dial. The watch is powered by a damascened nickel movement with a lever escapement, bimetallic compensation balance, and a blued steel overcoil hairspring. The cuvette is engraved with the maker's details. The watch includes a quarter-repeating mechanism operated via a slide on the case band.

Front view of the F. Rotig gold open-face repeating watch showing the dial with integrated compass and thermometer.
Front view of the F. Rotig gold open-face repeating watch showing the dial with integrated compass and thermometer. — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating calendar pocket watch
Maker / attribution
F. Rotig
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1880
Source-reported place
France

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 External Design

The watch features a 50mm open-face case constructed from 18k rose gold. The reverse of the case is engine-turned and decorated with a complex enamel motif featuring two lions rampant, a yellow enamel crescent moon and star, and green enamel foliage. A white enamel banner bears the inscription 'Ameeroodeen Tyabjee'.

The case incorporates milled bezels and a sliding band used to operate the quarter-repeating mechanism. The white enamel dial is set with black Roman numerals and an outer minute track. The watch utilizes rose gold hands and includes a recessed aperture for the integrated compass and mercury-based Fahrenheit thermometer.

Evidence for this section
  • “Encased in a fine 18Kt Rose Gold case, the engine turned case to the rear is intricately centred by an elaborate gold and enamel background.”
  • “The milled bezels with repeating slideto band provide a smooth and seamless finish.”
  • “The recessed aperture for the compass and mercury Fahrenheit thermometer add a unique touch”

Movement and Complications

The timepiece is driven by a high-quality damascened nickel movement. Technical components include a lever escapement, a bimetallic compensation balance for temperature regulation, and a blued steel overcoil hairspring. The winding mechanism utilizes a Woolf's tooth design.

Functionality extends beyond standard timekeeping to include a calendar display with date and month indicators, alongside a continuous seconds sub-dial. The repeating function indicates quarters through sound. The movement is fully jeweled to the center arbor.

Evidence for this section
  • “The highest quality damascened nickel finished movement features a lever escapement, fully jewelled to the center arbour”
  • “blued steel overcoil hairspring with woolf's tooth winding.”

Signatures and Attribution

The watch is attributed to the independent watchmaker F. Rotig of Le Havre. The maker's signature and location are engraved on the polished inner cuvette of the watch. The cuvette also bears a serial number, confirming its origin.

The engraving of 'Ameeroodeen Tyabjee' on the case back suggests a personalized commission or specific ownership, though the source does not provide historical details regarding this individual.

Evidence for this section
  • “The polished inner cuvette is engraved with F. Rotig Chronometer maker, Havre, and is numbered”
  • “A white enamel banner beneath is inscribed in red with 'Ameeroodeen Tyabjee'”
  • “F. Rotig was an independent watchmaker who produced very few watches”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical identity of 'Ameeroodeen Tyabjee' as inscribed on the case?
  • Can the specific serial number on the cuvette be linked to any surviving production records for F. Rotig?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for F. Rotig Havre Gold Quarter Repeating Calendar Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerF. Rotig Havre“Creator: F.Rotig Havre”
Dial indicatorsRoman numerals and three subsidiary dials“white enamel dial features Roman numerals and an outer minute ring, along with three subsidiary dials for date, month and seconds.”
Movement typeDamascened nickel finished lever escapement“highest quality damascened nickel finished movement features a lever escapement”
Date of manufacture1880“Date of Manufacture: 1880”
Place of originLe Havre, France“indicating that this timepiece originated from the French port of Le Havre.”

Visible details

  • Integrated thermometer and compass on the dial
  • Subsidiary dials for date, month, and seconds
  • Slide mechanism on the case band for quarter-repeating function
  • Elaborate enamel and gold decoration on case back

Research qualifications

  • The serial number is mentioned as present but not provided in the source text
  • The connection to 'Ameeroodeen Tyabjee' is descriptive of the engraving rather than verified provenance

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

Consulted source

F. Rotig Havre Gold Quarter Repeating Calendar Pocket Watch - 1880

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 5b41e518ff

Terms in this record

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