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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Verge pocket watch with repeater

Gold and Enamel Verge Pocket Watch with Chatelaine

Partially verified

This 18th-century verge pocket watch, accompanied by an approximately 16cm long gold and enamel chatelaine, is attributed to the Geneva maker Terrot & Archard. The watch features an 18K pink and green gold case measuring approximately 43mm in diameter. The back displays a blue engine-turned enamel 'Starry Sky' motif, decorated with diamond-set stars. The outer edge is finished with a multicoloured paillone rim and a white enamel border. The watch face, pendant, and opening knobs are also set with diamonds. It retains an original signed enamel dial with original silver hands. Power is provided by a signed verge movement, numbered 4741, which includes an hour and quarter-repeating mechanism striking on an internal bell. The auction description reports that while the movement starts ticking, it requires cleaning, and the repeater mechanism requires adjustment to improve the sound quality.

Front view of the 18th-century verge pocket watch and its associated gold and enamel chatelaine.
Front view of the 18th-century verge pocket watch and its associated gold and enamel chatelaine. — Cortrie Spezial Auktionen (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Verge pocket watch with repeater
Maker / attribution
Terrot & Archard
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
4259
Source-reported date
circa 1770
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
4741

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 case is constructed from 18K pink and green gold with an approximate diameter of 43mm. The back of the case is decorated with a blue engine-turned enamel 'Starry Sky' motif, featuring stars shaped from diamonds. The perimeter is adorned with a multicoloured paillone rim, enclosed by a narrow white enamel rim.

The watch is accompanied by an approximately 16cm long chatelaine finished in matching gold and enamel. The pendant and opening knobs of the watch are set with large diamonds, and the original enamel dial is fitted with original silver hands, which are also set with diamonds.

Evidence for this section
  • “18K pink gold/green gold, back with 'Starry Sky' motif, stars in the shape of diamonds on blue engine turned enamel”
  • “a narrow white enamel rim on the very outside, the entire face is set with diamonds, both opening knobs and pendant are also set with large diamonds”

Movement and Mechanism

The timepiece is powered by a verge movement signed by the Geneva makers Terrot & Archard. It is equipped with a repeating mechanism that strikes the hours and quarters on an internal bell. The movement is identified by the number 4741.

According to the auction description, the movement currently starts but requires professional cleaning. The repeating mechanism is operational; however, it is noted that it requires adjustment to improve the sound quality produced by the strike train.

Evidence for this section
  • “signed verge movement Terrot & Archard Geneve, repeating the hours and quarters on bell, movement number 4741”
  • “The movement starts ticking but needs cleaning. The repeating mechanism works, but should be adjusted to improve the sound.”

Condition and Attribution

The enamel case is reported to be mostly in original condition, with only minor imperfections noted around the edge of the paillone and white enamel rims. The total weight of the watch is approximately 68 grams.

The auction description notes that the use of real diamonds on such gold and enamel watches is rare, as imitations were frequently used during the period.

Evidence for this section
  • “The unique enamel case of the watch is mostly in original condition. There are only minor imperfections around the edge of the paillone rim/white rim.”
  • “Philippe Terrot was one of the most important Geneva makers of the 18th century. Gold/enamel verge watches with real diamonds are extremely rare”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific material composition of the chatelaine enamelwork?
  • Can the diamond setting be confirmed as contemporary to the 1770 manufacture of the watch movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold and Enamel Verge Pocket Watch with Chatelaine
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerTerrot & Archard Geneve“signed verge movement Terrot & Archard Geneve”
Serial Number4741“movement number 4741”
Datecirca 1770“ca. 1770”
Case Material18K pink gold and green gold“18K pink gold/green gold”
Diameter43mm“Ca. Ø43mm”
Movement TypeVerge movement“signed verge movement”
FunctionsHours and quarters repeating“repeating the hours and quarters on bell”
Chatelaine Length16cm“approx. 16cm long”

Visible details

  • Case features blue engine-turned enamel with diamond stars
  • Chatelaine has multiple gold chains and a decorative enamel pendant
  • Pendant and knobs are diamond-set
  • Repeater mechanism includes an internal bell

Research qualifications

  • Condition of the movement is not fully functional
  • Exact degree of original case condition is noted with minor imperfections

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

Consulted source

Pocket watch: extremely rare gold/enamel verge watch with diamonds, repeater and chatelaine, ca. 1770

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record f5b11e1b66

Terms in this record

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