Pocket watch · Dumb quarter repeating pocket watch

Gold and Enamel Chatelaine Repeating Virgule Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This unsigned Swiss pocket watch dates to circa 1790 and measures 48 mm in diameter according to the source. It is housed in a gold and enamel consular case decorated with translucent cobalt-blue enamel over an engine-turned ground, bordered with a continuous row of split pearls, and embellished on the back with a diamond-set floral wreath tied with a ribbon bow. The source reports that the watch is powered by a gilt full-plate fusee movement with a virgule escapement, a large brass escape wheel, and a garnet endstone. It incorporates a push-pendant dumb quarter repeating mechanism striking internally on blocks.

Back view of the gold and enamel consular case showing translucent blue guilloché enamel, diamond-set wreath, and pearl-set bezel — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: watchmuseum.org
Category: Pocket watch · Dumb quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution: Not established
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date: Circa 1790
Country: Switzerland

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 Ornamentation

The timepiece is housed in a 48 mm gold and enamel consular case. The exterior features dark blue translucent enamel applied over an engine-turned ground. Both the bezel and the back of the case are decorated with a row of split pearls.

The back of the case is further embellished with a white metal decoration set with diamonds. A push-pendant mechanism is utilized to activate the repeating function.

Evidence for this section

“Diameter 48 mm”
“adorned with a dark blue translucent enamel over an engine turned ground.”
“The bezel and back of the case are set with a row of large split pearls.”
“The back of the case is further embellished with white metal decoration set with diamonds.”
“push pendant dumb quarter repeater, which can be activated by pressing the pendant”

Movement

The watch is powered by an anonymous Swiss full-plate gilt fusee movement, dated by the source to circa 1790. The movement includes a pierced and engraved bridge cock with a garnet endstone and a three-arm gilt balance wheel with a blue steel spiral hairspring.

Technical features include a virgule escapement paired with a large brass escape wheel, and a silver regulator dial with a blue steel indicator. The repeating mechanism strikes the hours and quarters on two separate internal blocks.

Evidence for this section

“Anonymous Swiss Circa 1790”
“full plate gilt fusee movement, with a finely pierced and engraved bridge cock that is adorned with a garnet endstone.”
“The balance wheel is plain and three-arm gilt, featuring a blue steel spiral hairspring.”
“rare virgule escapement, which is coupled with a large brass escape wheel.”
“silver regulator dial is complemented by a blue steel indicator.”
“strikes the hours and quarters on two separate blocks within the case.”

Dial and Chatelaine

The white enamel dial displays Roman numerals at the quarters and Arabic numerals for the intervening periods. Time is indicated by gold hands, and the watch is wound through the dial.

The watch is accompanied by a matching chatelaine assembly consisting of a gilt clip, gold and champlevé enamel, multiple chains, pearl-set cartouches, and a gold and enamel key.

Evidence for this section

“The dial of the watch is made of white enamel and showcases Roman numerals at the quarters, with Arabic numerals in between.”
“The hands of the watch are intricately crafted from gold.”
“The watch is wound through the enamel dial”
“The chatelaine features a gilt clip, embellished with gold and champlevé enamel.”
“The central chain is home to a matching gold and enamel oval key”

Open research questions

What is the specific material composition of the 'white metal' used on the case back?
What are the specific hallmarks, if any, located on the gold case or chatelaine components?
Does the lack of maker signature on a virgule repeating movement of this period indicate a specific regional workshop or school of watchmaking?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold and Enamel Chatelaine Repeating Virgule Pocket Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker attribution	Anonymous Swiss	“Anonymous Swiss”
Date	Circa 1790	“Circa 1790”
Diameter	48 mm	“Diameter 48 mm”
Repeating function	Push pendant dumb quarter repeater	“push pendant dumb quarter repeater, which can be activated by pressing the pendant”
Case ornamentation	Split pearls and diamonds over blue translucent enamel	“adorned with a dark blue translucent enamel over an engine turned ground. The bezel and back of the case are set with a row of large split pearls. The back of the case is further embellished with white metal decoration set with diamonds.”

Visible details

Case back covered in deep translucent blue enamel over engine-turned guilloché patterns with a rosette center.
Perimeter framed by a continuous border of uniform white split pearls mounted in gold.
Reverse decorated with an applied white metal wreath motif featuring flowers, leaves, and a ribbon bow set with diamonds.
Cylindrical gold pendant topped with an oval suspension bow.

Research qualifications

Internal movement specifications, virgule escapement, white enamel dial, and accompanying chatelaine are reported by the source but not visible in the provided image.

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

Consulted source

Gold And Enamel Chatelaine Repeating Virgule - Circa 1790 » Watch Museum: Discover The World Of Antique & Vintage Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record edf0c85b1b

Terms in this record

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