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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating centre-seconds pocket watch

Gold-cased Pouzait-type lever watch with quarter-repeat and military counter

Partially verified

This open-faced gold pocket watch features a Pouzait-type lever escapement and a pendant-operated quarter-repeat sounding on two gongs. Configured as a military counter designed to monitor infantry marching pace at 75 paces per minute, its white enamel dial displays Arabic numerals 1 through 12 alongside an outer track numbered in five-unit steps up to 75. The blued-steel hands are decorated with applied gold floral motifs, while the centre-mounted military counter hand is missing. The gold case features engine-turned fluting radiating from an oval cartouche engraved with the initials SK.

Dial view of the gold-cased quarter-repeating watch showing Arabic numerals and outer 75-beat scale
Dial view of the gold-cased quarter-repeating watch showing Arabic numerals and outer 75-beat scale — British Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.britishmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating centre-seconds pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
1958,1201.965
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
c. 1800
Source-reported place
France
Source-reported serial
6150

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

Military Counter Configuration

This timepiece is described as a 'Compteur Militaire', designed for controlling the marching pace of infantry. The white enamel dial is calibrated with an outer track numbered in five-unit increments up to 75, corresponding to the 'cadence normale' of 75 paces per minute. The watch is currently noted as incomplete, with the centre-mounted military counter hand missing.

A stop mechanism was originally integrated, indicated by an 'A' and 'M' (Arrêt and Marche) inscription on the edge of the front plate. The source notes that all components of this stop mechanism are missing.

Evidence for this section
  • “This "Compteur Militaire" is for controlling the marching pace of infantry.”
  • “the outer circle numbered 5, 10, 15, etc - 75.”
  • “The centre-mounted military counter hand is missing.”
  • “A slot in the edge of the front plate is inscribed 'A' and 'M' for Arrêt and Marche. All the components of the stop mechanism are now missing.”

Movement and Escapement Construction

The movement uses a Pouzait-type lever escapement with a steel pin wheel, where the inserted pins measure 0.11 mm in diameter. The escapement is noted as having crudely made components, including steel pallets with one broken horn. The movement is full-plate and contains no jewels, relying instead on polished steel coquerets for the pallet and balance pivots.

The quarter-repeat mechanism is pendant-operated and sounds on two blued-steel gongs. It utilizes a chain to link the plunger-operated lever to the repeating barrel arbor.

Evidence for this section
  • “A Pouzait-type lever escapement with a steel pin wheel with inserted steel pins(1).”
  • “There are no jewels but there are polished steel coquerets for the pallet and balance pivots.”
  • “Steel pallets with one broken horn.”
  • “Pendant-operated quarter repeat mechanism with a chain linking the plunger operated lever to the repeating barrel arbor.”
  • “(1) These pins are only 0.11 mm diameter.”

Case and External Features

The gold open-faced case measures 59.0 mm in diameter and features engine-turned fluting radiating from an oval cartouche engraved with the initials 'SK'. The case band is reeded, and the internal dome includes a direction arrow for hand-setting.

The dial is pinned directly to the movement front plate, as no separate dial-plate was intended in the construction. The blued-steel hands each feature an applied gold flower.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gold open-faced case with engine-turned decoration.”
  • “the back decorated with fine flutes radiating from an oval cartouche at the bottom, the cartouche engraved with the initials SK.”
  • “Blued-steel hands each with an applied gold flower.”
  • “No dial-plate intended, the dial is pinned directly to the movement front plate”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the 'AIR (or AIP?) 6150 K18 350' markings punched into the inside of the case?
  • Are there other documented examples of Pouzait-type watches that confirm the intended original appearance of the missing military counter hand?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Gold-cased Pouzait-type lever watch with quarter-repeat and military counter
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Museum number1958,1201.965“Museum number 1958,1201.965”
EscapementPouzait-type lever“Escapement pouzait-type lever”
Beat rate4,500 beats per hour (75 beats a minute)“Beat Rate: 4,500 (75 beats a minute)”
Case materialGold“Materials gold (watch-case)”
Missing handCentre-mounted military counter hand is missing“The centre-mounted military counter hand is missing.”
Datec. 1800“France or possibly Switzerland, c.1800”
Production PlaceFrance or possibly Switzerland“Made in: France (?) Made in: Switzerland (possibly)”
ProvenanceIlbert Collection“Formerly in the Ilbert Collection.”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with Arabic hour numerals 1 to 12 and an outer chapter ring marked from 5 to 75
  • Two blued-steel hands visible with decorative applied flower motifs
  • Pendant with suspension bow situated at the 12 o'clock position

Research qualifications

  • Maker is unknown with no signature present on the watch.
  • Country of manufacture is tentatively attributed to France or possibly Switzerland.
  • The centre-seconds military counter hand and components of the stop mechanism are noted as missing.

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

Consulted source

centre-seconds watch; quarter-repeating watch; watch-case | British Museum

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 21a6423cd6

Terms in this record

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