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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Five-minute repeating pocket watch

Golay-Laresche & Fils Keyless Five-Minute Repeating Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This Golay-Laresche & Fils and Golay Fils & Stahl keyless five-minute repeating pocket watch, numbered 22275, dates to approximately 1900. It features a three-body, polished 18K gold case in a demi-bassine form, with the case back engraved with a monogram and a hinged gold cuvette displaying a dedication dated September 30, 1900. The white enamel dial is set with Arabic numerals, an outer minute ring, and a recessed subsidiary seconds dial, complemented by blued steel spade hands. The 17-ligne, nickel-plated movement is finished with fausses cotes decoration and contains 29 jewels. It includes a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance, and a Breguet balance spring. The watch provides a repeating function via a slide located in the case band. The piece is signed on the dial, the interior cuvette, and the movement.

Front view showing the white enamel dial, Arabic numerals, and subsidiary seconds dial.
Front view showing the white enamel dial, Arabic numerals, and subsidiary seconds dial. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Five-minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Golay-Laresche & Fils, Golay Fils & Stahl
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
180
Source-reported date
circa 1900
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
22275

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 an 18K gold case of the demi-bassine type. It consists of three parts with a polished finish. The reverse of the case is decorated with an engraved monogram. Internally, a hinged gold cuvette protects the movement; this component carries an engraved dedication dated September 30, 1900.

The dial is manufactured from white enamel. It is configured with black Arabic numerals for the hours, an outer track for the minutes, and a subsidiary dial for the seconds, which is sunk into the enamel. The watch indicates time with blued steel hands in the spade style.

Evidence for this section
  • “Three body, massive, "demi-bassine " , polished, the back engraved with a monogram.”
  • “Hinged gold cuvette engraved with a dedication dated September 30, 1900.”
  • “White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute ring and sunk subsidiary seconds.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement measures 17 lignes and features a nickel-plated finish throughout. It is decorated with fausses cotes surfacing. The repeating complication is operated by a slide positioned in the band of the case, which activates a repeating mechanism on gongs.

Technically, the movement utilizes 29 jewels. The escapement is a counterpoised straight-line lever type. The balance assembly incorporates a cut bimetallic balance and a Breguet balance spring, ensuring precise regulation of the timekeeping

Evidence for this section
  • “17"', nickel plated, " fausses cotes" decoration, 29 jewels, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring.”
  • “Repeating on gongs with slide in the band.”

Signatures and Condition

These signatures are applied to the dial, the internal hinged cuvette, and the movement.

The auction description reports the general condition of the case and movement as 'Good' and assigns the watch a grade of 'AAA Excellent'. It specifically notes that an overhaul for the movement is recommended for the next owner.

Evidence for this section
  • “Signed on the dial, cuvette and movement.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent”
  • “Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • What is the historical significance of the specific dedication dated September 30, 1900?
  • Can the specific movement serial number be linked to surviving factory ledgers for Golay Fils & Stahl?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Golay-Laresche & Fils Keyless Five-Minute Repeating Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerGolay - Laresche & Fils, Golay Fils & Stahl, Successeurs“Golay - Laresche & Fils, Golay Fils & Stahl, Successeurs, Geneve and 2 rue de la Paix a Paris”
Serial Number22275“No. 22275”
Datecirca 1900“circa 1900”
Case Material18K gold“18K gold”
ComplicationFive-minute repeating“keyless five minute repeating watch”
Jewel Count29“29 jewels”

Visible details

  • Arabic numeral dial with a sunken seconds sub-dial at the six o'clock position
  • Repeating slide mechanism located on the exterior of the case band
  • Polished 18K gold demi-bassine case construction
  • Blued steel spade-style hour and minute hands

Research qualifications

  • The auction house reports that a mechanical overhaul is recommended
  • The provenance of the dedication inscription on the cuvette is not specified

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

Consulted source

Golay - Laresche & Fils, Golay Fils & Stahl, Successeurs, Geneve and 2 rue de la Paix a Paris, No. 22275, circa 1900. Fine 18K gold, keyless five minute repeating watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 3dd728cc47

Terms in this record

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