Pocket watch · Hour and quarter striking pocket watch

First Empire Silver Hour and Quarter Striking Pocket Watch by Reyst in Lyon

Partially verified

This First Empire period pocket watch is catalogued by dealer Luc Baudry as the work of maker Reyst in Lyon, dated circa 1800. The timepiece presents a solid silver case described as bearing barley grain guilloché decoration. The white enamel dial features Breguet-style Arabic hour numerals, an outer minute track, gilded brass hands, and a visible key-winding aperture located between 1 and 2 o'clock. According to the seller's documentation, the watch is powered by a gilded brass movement with a verge escapement, chain, and fusee, incorporating an on-demand hour and quarter striking mechanism operated by pressing the pendant bail.

Dial view of First Empire pocket watch attributed to Reyst in Lyon, showing Arabic numerals and winding aperture — Proantic / Luc Baudry. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: www.proantic.com
Category: Pocket watch · Hour and quarter striking pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Reyst in Lyon
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 1496115
Source-reported date: Circa 1800
Country: 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

Dial and Visual Features

The white enamel dial features stylized Arabic hour numerals and an outer minute track. Two gilded brass hands, which terminate in arrow-shaped tips, are mounted centrally.

A winding square aperture is positioned on the dial between the 1 and 2 o'clock markers. Faint signature or inscription markings are present along the lower rim of the dial above the 6 o'clock position, and a spherical pendant with a circular bow is situated above the 12 o'clock marker.

Evidence for this section

“Enamel dial with Arabic numerals”
“White enamel dial displays stylized Arabic hour numerals and an outer minute track.”
“A winding square aperture is positioned on the dial between the 1 and 2 o'clock markers.”
“Faint signature or inscription markings appear along the lower rim of the dial above 6 o'clock.”

Reported Movement and Striking Mechanism

According to the seller, the timepiece is powered by a gilded brass movement featuring a verge escapement, chain, and fusee.

The watch is described as having an on-demand hour and quarter striking mechanism, which is activated by applying pressure to the pendant bail. This information is derived from the seller's documentation and has not been verified against the internal components.

Evidence for this section

“Movement in gilded brass, with verge escapement, chain, fusee, and hour and quarter strike on demand, by pressure on the bail.”

Case Construction and Attribution

The timepiece is housed in a solid silver case characterized by a barley grain guilloché pattern. The watch is attributed to the maker Reyst in Lyon and dated to circa 1800.

This attribution and the description of the case back are based on seller information, as the case back and internal movement remain unverified in the provided visual evidence.

Evidence for this section

“Solid silver case with barley grain guilloché.”
“Beautiful and important watch with hour and quarter strike in solid silver, by Reyst in Lyon. Circa 1800.”

Open research questions

What is the specific text of the inscription located on the dial at the 6 o'clock position?
Do any internal movement components bear maker's marks or signatures consistent with Reyst in Lyon?
Does the guilloché pattern on the case back match known stylistic characteristics of Reyst's work during the circa 1800 period?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for First Empire Silver Hour and Quarter Striking Pocket Watch by Reyst in Lyon
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Reyst in Lyon	“by Reyst in Lyon”
Date	Circa 1800	“Circa 1800.”
Dial	Enamel dial with Arabic numerals	“Enamel dial with Arabic numerals”
Hands	Gilded brass hands	“gilded brass hands”
Movement mechanism	Verge escapement with chain and fusee	“Movement in gilded brass, with verge escapement, chain, fusee”
Striking function	Hour and quarter strike on demand via bail	“hour and quarter strike on demand, by pressure on the bail”
Case material	Solid silver with barley grain guilloché	“Solid silver case with barley grain guilloché”
Maker	Reyst in Lyon	“by Reyst in Lyon”
Date	Circa 1800	“Circa 1800.”
Case Material	Solid silver	“solid silver”

Visible details

White enamel dial displays stylized Arabic hour numerals and an outer minute track.
A winding square aperture is positioned on the dial between the 1 and 2 o'clock markers.
Two gilded brass hands are mounted centrally, terminating in arrow-shaped tips.
A spherical pendant with a circular bow is positioned at the top of the case above 12 o'clock.
Faint signature or inscription markings appear along the lower rim of the dial above 6 o'clock.

Research qualifications

The internal gilded brass movement, verge escapement, fusee chain, and case back decoration are not visible in the provided photograph and rely entirely on dealer statements.
The heraldic crest mentioned in the proposed text is not evidenced in the supplied image or listing text.

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

Consulted source

Proantic: First Empire Silver Hour And Quarter Striking Watch From (re

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 5acfdd7ff9

Terms in this record

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