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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

Gold and Enamel Chatelaine Repeating Virgule Watch

Partially verified

This Swiss pocket watch is accompanied by a matching chatelaine, dating to approximately 1790. The watch features a consular gold case decorated with translucent dark blue enamel over a guilloché ground, edged with a continuous row of large half-pearls. The reverse is embellished with white metal floral motifs set with diamonds. Its white enamel dial displays Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the quarter-hour intervals, with a central winding aperture. The movement is a full-plate gilt construction with a fusee system and a rare virgule escapement, featuring a three-arm gilt balance with a blued steel hairspring. The piece functions as a dumb quarter-repeater, activated via a pendant push. The set includes a coordinating gold and champlevé enamel chatelaine, complete with pearl tassels and an original gold and enamel winding key, all housed in a Moroccan leather-covered case.

The watch and its complete chatelaine assembly, including the winding key and decorative tassels.
The watch and its complete chatelaine assembly, including the winding key and decorative tassels. — Zamanito / Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1790
Source-reported place
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 and Dial Design

The pocket watch is housed in a consular gold case, characterized by a refined finish. The external surface is rendered in translucent dark blue enamel applied over a machine-turned (guilloché) base, providing a textured appearance. The perimeter of both the front and back bezels is set with a prominent row of large half-pearls. On the reverse, the design is further enhanced by applied white metal floral ornamentation set with diamonds.

The dial is composed of white enamel and features a dual-numbering system. Large Roman numerals indicate the quarter-hour positions, while Arabic numerals represent the intervals between them. A prominent winding aperture is located directly on the dial. The watch is equipped with decorative pierced gold hands, which provide a contrast against the white enamel ground.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه طلایی این ساعت با لعاب آبی تیره شفاف روی زمینه‌ای ماشین‌تراش (گیوشه) آراسته شده”
  • “حاشیه‌ها و لبه‌های قاب در جلو و پشت با ردیفی از مرواریدهای نیم‌شده درشت مزین شده‌اند”
  • “صفحه مینای سفید ساعت دارای ارقام رومی در موقعیت‌های ربع ساعت و ارقام عربی در فواصل بین آن‌هاست”

Movement and Escapement

The movement is constructed with a full-plate gilt layout and incorporates a fusee and chain mechanism. A defining feature is the rare virgule escapement, named for the comma-like shape of the escape wheel teeth and pallet. The balance is a three-arm gilt design paired with a blued steel hairspring, while the balance bridge is intricately finished with cut and engraved patterns, topped with a garnet endstone.

The watch includes a dumb quarter-repeater mechanism, which operates by striking two blocks within the interior of the case, producing a tactile signal rather than a traditional acoustic chime. The repeating function is triggered by a gold pendant push-piece located at the top of the watch.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای ساختار تمام‌پلیت طلاکاری‌شده به همراه سیستم فیوزی (Fusee) است”
  • “مهار ویرگول (Virgule escapement) نوعی مکانیزم مهار نامتعارف و نادر در ساعت‌سازی اواخر سده هجدهم است”
  • “مکانیزم تکرارکننده ربع از نوع بی‌صدا (Dumb repeating) بوده که با فشردن پندانت فشاری طلا بر روی دو بلوک داخل بدنه ضربه می‌زند.”

Chatelaine and Presentation

The set is completed by a matching chatelaine, a decorative accessory designed for attachment to clothing. It features a gilt clip adorned with champlevé enamel, complemented by double-sided square links decorated in dark blue and white enamel. The chatelaine is finished with graduated pearl tassels and additional oval and rectangular enamel-set plaques.

An original oval-shaped winding key, finished in gold and enamel, is attached to the chatelaine. The entire ensemble is housed in a purpose-built box, which features a distinctive form and is covered in red Moroccan leather (tima-j), reflecting the presentation standards for high-status horological objects of the period.

Evidence for this section
  • “شاتلن هماهنگ این اثر دارای گیره‌ای طلاکاری‌شده با تزیینات طلا و لعاب شامپلوه (Champlevé)”
  • “این شاتلن دارای منگوله‌هایی از مرواریدهای تدریجی، قطعات بیضی و مستطیل لعاب‌کاری‌شده و نگین‌دار، و یک کلید کوک بیضی هماهنگ از طلا و لعاب است”
  • “همگی درون جعبه‌ای با فرمی خاص و روکشی از چرم مراکشی (تیماج) قرمز قرار گرفته‌اند.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific mark or signature, if any, hidden on the movement plate?
  • Does the serial number on the movement match any known archival records for Swiss virgule-escapement repeaters of the 1790s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold and Enamel Chatelaine Repeating Virgule Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Datecirca 1790“حدود ۱۷۹۰”
EscapementVirgule escapement“مهار کمیاب ویرگول (Virgule)”
Repeating MechanismDumb quarter repeater“تکرارکننده بی‌صدا ربع (Dumb quarter repeating)”
Case DecorationDark blue enamel over guilloché with pearls and diamonds“لعاب آبی تیره روی گیوشه، ردیف مرواریدهای نیم‌شده درشت و الماس”
ComponentsIncludes a matching chatelaine and winding key“شاتلن ست از طلا، لعاب Champlevé، رشته‌های مروارید و کلید کوک”
Case typeConsular gold case“کنسولار (Consular) از جنس طلا”

Visible details

  • The watch dial includes an off-center winding hole for key-winding
  • The watch pendant features a push-piece for activating the repeating mechanism
  • The chatelaine assembly incorporates rectangular enamel links and pearl-strand tassels

Research qualifications

  • The exact identity of the watchmaker remains unverified by the provided source
  • The specific historical ownership or provenance of the object is not documented in the source

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

Consulted source

Gold and Enamel Chatelaine Repeating Virgule

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record a1bc1e34e9

Terms in this record

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

Other minute repeating pocket watch records