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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Isaac Soret et Fils Quarter-Repeating Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This pair-cased pocket watch by Isaac Soret et Fils, dating to circa 1795, is an 18K multicolored gold and enamel timepiece. The watch features a quarter-repeating function activated by depressing the pendant. The white enamel dial is complex, displaying an eccentric Roman chapter ring for time, a date subsidiary dial at 10 o'clock, and a moon phase indicator to the right. It includes a central sweep seconds hand. The movement is a 40.6 mm frosted gilt full-plate calibre with cylindrical pillars, a verge escapement, and a continental cock. The inner case is decorated with a miniature enamel painting of a couple in a landscape, framed by gold paillons and a translucent blue enamel border with floral motifs. The outer case is gilt brass, featuring red tortoiseshell and gilt stud decorations. Both the dial and movement are signed by the maker.

Front view of the Isaac Soret et Fils quarter-repeating watch showing the eccentric dial layout, moon phase, date subsidiary, and outer case tortoiseshell border.
Front view of the Isaac Soret et Fils quarter-repeating watch showing the eccentric dial layout, moon phase, date subsidiary, and outer case tortoiseshell border. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Isaac Soret et Fils
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
258
Source-reported date
circa 1795
Source-reported place
Geneva
Source-reported serial
26254

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 pair case assembly. The outer case is constructed from gilt brass, featuring red tortoiseshell covering and decorative gilt studs. The inner case is made of two-body 18K multicolored gold.

The back of the inner case features a painted enamel scene of a gentleman and a lady in a rural setting, bordered by translucent imperial blue enamel and gold paillons. The bezels are decorated with a champlevé enamel laurel-leaf pattern and are pierced to facilitate the passage of sound for the repeating mechanism.

Evidence for this section
  • “Outer: protective, gilt brass, glazed on the back, bezels covered with red tortoiseshell and riveted with gilt studs.”
  • “Inner: two-body, ?Louis XVI?, back painted on enamel depicting a gentleman giving a flower to his lady”
  • “bezels pierced for sound and decorated with applied multicolored gold and champlevé enamel laurel-leaf pattern.”

Dial and Complications

The white enamel dial organizes several functions across its surface. A small, eccentric Roman numeral chapter ring is located in the lower section, complemented by 'beetle and poker' hands.

The upper half of the dial incorporates a date subsidiary dial at 10 o'clock and a corresponding moon age indicator. A central sweep seconds hand tracks across the dial, which features outer minute divisions and Arabic numerals for fifteen-second intervals.

Evidence for this section
  • “White enamel, small eccentric Roman chapter set in the lower part”
  • “date subsidiary dial at 10 o'clock, symmetrically to the right ages of the moon dial”
  • “central sweep seconds with outermost dot divisions and fifteen-seconds Arabic markers.”

Movement and Mechanism

The movement is a 40.6 mm (18 ligne) full-plate caliber. It features a fusee and chain system and a verge escapement. The balance is brass and paired with a flat balance spring and a continental cock.

The repeating mechanism functions by striking a bell when the pendant is depressed. The movement and dial are both signed by Isaac Soret et Fils.

Evidence for this section
  • “frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement”
  • “repeating on bell by depressing the pendant.”
  • “Signed on dial and movement.”

Open research questions

  • What specific individual in the Soret family oversaw production of this specific movement?
  • Does the enamel painting on the case back correspond to a known contemporary artistic work or print?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Isaac Soret et Fils Quarter-Repeating Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerIsaac Soret et Fils“Isaac Soret et Fils”
Serial Number26254“No. 26254”
Datecirca 1795“circa 1795”
Movement TypeFrosted gilt full-plate, verge escapement“frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain, verge escapement”
FunctionsQuarter-repeater, date, ages of the moon, sweep seconds“center seconds quarter-repeating watch with date and ages of the moon”

Visible details

  • Eccentric time display on the lower half of the dial
  • Miniature painting on the inner case back depicting a couple
  • Pierced bezels on the inner case to allow for sound
  • Subsidiary dials for date and lunar age

Research qualifications

  • Condition report indicates an overhaul is recommended
  • The inner case style is described as '?Louis XVI?' by the source

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

Consulted source

A Flower Isaac Soret et Fils, Geneva, No. 26254, circa 1795. Very fine and rare 18K multicolored gold and painted on enamel pair-cased center seconds quarter-repeating watch with date and ages of the moon.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record e4aa601782

Terms in this record

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

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