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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating verge pocket watch

Gilbert in Paris gold and gem-set quarter-repeating verge pocket watch

Partially verified

According to the source, this French verge pocket watch dates to circa 1780 and is signed by Gilbert in Paris. Measuring 39 mm in diameter and 9 mm in depth, the watch features a three-color gold case with an oval garden tableau in relief showing a dog barking toward birds near a pedestal and foliage. The vendor reports a full-plate gilt fusee movement with a pierced and engraved balance cock, plain three-arm balance, blued steel hairspring, and silver regulator disc. The quarter-repeating mechanism is plunge-activated via the pendant to strike an interior bell, assisted by an 'a toc' mute repeating function.

Back view of the chased multi-color gold case showing a garden scene with a dog and birds
Back view of the chased multi-color gold case showing a garden scene with a dog and birds — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating verge pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Gilbert
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1780
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

Case Construction and Aesthetics

The watch features a three-color gold case with a reported diameter of 39 mm and a depth of 9 mm. The case back is decorated with an oval garden scene in relief, depicting a dog barking at a bird.

The bezel is decorated with gold accents and a row of white stones. The case is perforated to allow the internal bell sound to be heard and includes a pendant stem for operating the repeating mechanism.

Evidence for this section
  • “قطر 39 میلی‌متر”
  • “عمق ۹ میلی‌متر”
  • “از طلای سه‌رنگ ساخته شده و با یک صحنه باغ بیضی‌شکل جذاب در پشت تزئین شده است که یک منظره عجیب از سگی که به پرنده‌ای پارس می‌کند را به تصویر می‌کشد.”
  • “حلقه جلویی قاب با تزئینات طلایی و یک ردیف سنگ سفید تزئین شده است. قاب به طور هدفمند سوراخ‌کاری شده تا زنگ به وضوح به صدا درآید”

Movement and Repeating Mechanism

The seller reports the watch contains a full-plate gilt fusee movement featuring a pierced and engraved balance cock, a simple three-arm gold balance, a blued steel hairspring, and a silver regulator disc.

The quarter-repeating mechanism is activated by the pendant and strikes a bell inside the case. The watch also includes an 'a toc' button and a slide control for a silent repeating function.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور فوزه‌ای با صفحه کامل و روکش طلا کار می‌کند که دارای یک پل کاک مجرّب و حکاکی‌شده، یک بالانس طلای سه‌بازوی ساده و یک فنر مویی مارپیچ فولاد آبی”
  • “ویژگی تکرار ربع‌ساعت با فشار آویز، شگفتی مهندسی است که به طور ملودیک روی زنگی درون قاب به صدا در می‌آید.”
  • “ساعت دارای یک دکمه «a toc» روی حلقه جلویی و یک لغزنده در زیر برای عملکرد تکرار بی‌صدا”

Attribution and Dial

The watch is attributed to 'Gilbert in Paris' and dated to circa 1780. The dial is described as white enamel with Arabic numerals and gem-set hands.

These details regarding the dial and internal movement are based on seller claims and have not been independently verified, as only the case back is visible in the provided imagery.

Evidence for this section
  • “امضای گیلبرت در پاریس حوالی ۱۷۸۰”
  • “صفحه مینای سفید که با اعداد عربی و عقربه‌های تزئینی با سنگ‌های قیمتی آراسته شده”

Open research questions

  • Does the interior of the case contain hallmarks verifying the date or origin?
  • Is the maker's signature 'Gilbert in Paris' present on the movement plates or the enamel dial?
  • What is the physical condition of the movement and the enamel dial, given they are not depicted in the provided imagery?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gilbert in Paris gold and gem-set quarter-repeating verge pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGilbert in Paris“امضای گیلبرت در پاریس”
Approximate dateCirca 1780“حوالی ۱۷۸۰”
Diameter39 mm“قطر 39 میلی‌متر”
Depth9 mm“عمق ۹ میلی‌متر”
Case decorationThree-color gold with garden scene showing a dog barking at a bird“از طلای سه‌رنگ ساخته شده و با یک صحنه باغ بیضی‌شکل جذاب در پشت تزئین شده است که یک منظره عجیب از سگی که به پرنده‌ای پارس می‌کند را به تصویر می‌کشد.”
MakerGilbert in Paris“امضای گیلبرت در پاریس”
Approximate DateCirca 1780“حوالی ۱۷۸۰”

Visible details

  • Circular watch case back decorated in multi-color gold chasing in high relief.
  • Central scene depicts a dog looking and barking upward at birds perched on and above a classical pedestal, flanked by trees and an overturned urn.
  • Outer border features chased drapery swags, ribbon bowknots, and reeded engine-turned banding.
  • Long pendant stem with cylindrical collar and rounded bow extends from the top of the case.
  • Hinge knuckle visible on the right edge and catch release or slide on the left edge.

Research qualifications

  • Only the case back is visible in the provided image; dial, movement, and gem-set front bezel are not depicted.
  • All mechanical specifications and maker signature are reported by the source seller rather than directly verifiable from the photo.

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

Consulted source

ساعت جیبی ورژ فرانسوی تکرارکننده ربع‌ساعت با طلا و سنگ‌های قیمتی - حدود ۱۷۸۰ » موزه ساعت: دنیای ساعت‌های جیبی عتیقه و قدیمی را کشف کنید

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 703e2d40ed

Terms in this record

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