Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating pendant watch

Henry Quarter-Repeating à Toc Pendant Watch

Partially verified

This pendant watch by Henry of Paris, numbered 1787 and dating to approximately 1790, is a quarter-repeating à toc timepiece. The watch features a two-body gold case with a concealed hinge. The case back is adorned with translucent royal blue guilloche enamel, embellished with gold paillons and a border of set pearls. The bezel is also pearl-set. It includes a matte silver dial with engine-turned details, painted radial Roman numerals, and outer minute divisions, with gold Breguet hands. The watch is powered by a hinged, matte gilt 31 mm movement featuring conical pillars, a fusee and chain mechanism, a cylinder escapement, and a three-arm balance with a flat balance spring. It is accompanied by a short gold and enamel chain and a matching gold, enamel, and pearl-set winding key. The auction description reports that the movement has a later escapement requiring repair, and the hands are replacements.

Front view of the Henry pendant watch, chain, and matching key. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category: Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating pendant watch
Maker / attribution: Henry
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: 242
Source-reported date: circa 1790
Source-reported place: Paris
Source-reported serial: 1787

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 Enamel Decoration

The watch is housed in a two-body gold case, designed as a pendant piece. The construction incorporates a concealed hinge to maintain the integrity of the decorative back. The primary aesthetic feature is the translucent royal blue guilloche enamel applied to the back of the watch, which is further embellished with gold paillons in a repeated design.

To enhance its ornamental quality, the case features a border of pearls surrounding the back. A matching pearl-set arrangement is found on the bezel. The piece is accompanied by a short chain and a diamond-shaped key, both executed in matching gold, enamel, and pearl materials to complement the pendant watch's design.

Evidence for this section

“C. Two-body, pearl-set bezel, concealed hinge, the back overlaid with translucent royal blue guilloche enamel entirely decorated with gold paillons, pearl-set border.”

Movement and Mechanics

The movement is a 31 mm diameter caliber, hinged to the case for access. It is finished in matte gilt and utilizes conical pillars. The power source is a traditional fusee and chain mechanism. The regulation is managed through a three-arm balance wheel paired with a flat balance spring.

The watch includes a quarter-repeating function operating 'à toc', meaning it strikes against the case rather than on a gong. The repeating mechanism employs two polished steel hammers located on the side of the movement. A pierced and chased continental-style balance cock holds the balance staff, which is secured by a polished steel endplate.

Evidence for this section

“M. 31 mm., hinged matte gilt, conical pillars, fusee and chain, cylinder escapement, three-arm balance, flat balance spring, pierced and chased continental balance cock, polished steel endplate, repeating with two polished steel hammers on the side of the case.”

Dial and Reported Condition

The dial is made of matte silver and features an engine-turned finish. Time is indicated by painted radial Roman numerals, with an outer track providing minute divisions. The time is displayed via gold Breguet-style hands.

Regarding the condition, the auction description reports that the movement features a later escapement that currently requires repair. Furthermore, the hands currently on the watch are recorded as being later replacements. The dial itself is described as fair, with signs of oxidation.

Evidence for this section

“D. Matte silver, engine-turned, painted radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions. Gold Breguet hands.”
“Movement: 4-62** Fair Later escapement Repair required, at buyer's expense Dial: 4-6-23-04 Fair Slightly oxidized Later HANDS Later”

Open research questions

What is the specific nature of the repair required for the later cylinder escapement?
Is there further biographical information available for the maker 'Henry a Paris' active in the 1790s?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Henry Quarter-Repeating à Toc Pendant Watch
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	Henry	“Henry a Paris”
Serial Number	1787	“No. 1787”
Date	circa 1790	“Made circa 1790”
Case Type	Two-body	“C. Two-body”
Movement Diameter	31 mm	“M. 31 mm.”
Escapement	Cylinder escapement	“cylinder escapement”
Hands	Gold Breguet hands	“Gold Breguet hands”
Condition note	Later escapement	“Later escapement”
Condition note	Later hands	“Later HANDS”

Visible details

Case back features a pattern of translucent blue guilloche enamel with gold paillons.
Bezel is decorated with a continuous border of small set pearls.
The winding key is diamond-shaped and set with pearls and blue enamel.
The movement is a 31 mm diameter caliber with a pierced and chased balance cock.

Research qualifications

The auction report notes the escapement is a later replacement and requires repair.
The hands are identified as later replacements by the auction house condition report.

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

Consulted source

Henry, Quarter-Repeating à Toc Henry a Paris, No. 1787. Made circa 1790. Fine, quarter-repeating à toc, gold, enamel and pearl-set pendant watch. Accompanied by a gold and enamel short chain and a gold, enamel and pearl-set key.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 8d21a70560

Terms in this record

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