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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating cylinder pocket watch

J F Bautte et Cie Swiss Quarter Repeating Cylinder Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 19th-century Swiss pocket watch is attributed by the source to J F Bautte et Cie a Geneve and dated to circa 1830. Encased in an 18-carat gold open-face housing measuring 36 mm in diameter, the timepiece is reported to contain a keywind gilt bar cylinder movement with a push-pendant quarter repeating mechanism sounding on two steel gongs. Visually, the rear case lid features fine engine-turned barleycorn patterning centered with a monogrammed circular cartouche, surrounded by deeply chased floral and scrollwork borders on the bezel, pendant, and bow. The source also reports a signed gold cuvette and silver engine-turned dial.

Rear view of the 18-carat gold case showing engine turning, central monogram cartouche, and chased floral border
Rear view of the 18-carat gold case showing engine turning, central monogram cartouche, and chased floral border — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating cylinder pocket watch
Maker / attribution
J F Bautte et Cie a Geneve
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
Circa 1830
Country
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

Visible Case Decoration and Form

Visual observation of the pocket watch shows a yellow gold open-face case. The rear cover displays engine-turned patterning framed by a milled or beaded perimeter rim, with a small circular reserve engraved with a monogram at the center.

The bezel, pendant, and bow feature chased floral and foliate scrolling relief decoration. The source documents the diameter as 36 mm and the case composition as 18-carat gold.

Evidence for this section
  • “Yellow gold open-face pocket watch case with elaborate chased floral and foliate scrolling on the bezel, pendant, and bow”
  • “Engine-turned rear cover centered by a small circular reserve engraved with a monogram”
  • “Milled or beaded outer rim framing the engine-turned case back”
  • “Diameter 36 mm”
  • “18-carat gold open face case”

Reported Movement and Repeating Mechanism

The seller describes the movement as a small keywind gilt bar movement configured with a suspended going barrel, a plain cock with a blue steel regulator, and a plain three-arm gilt balance with a blue steel spiral hairspring. The escapement is listed as a polished steel cylinder with a steel escape wheel.

The repeating work is described by the source as a push-pendant quarter repeating mechanism operating on two rectangular-section polished steel gongs. The source notes that winding and setting occur using the gold push pendant and signed gold cuvette; none of these internal mechanisms or cuvette inscriptions are visible in the provided rear photograph.

Evidence for this section
  • “small keywind gilt bar movement features a suspended going barrel, plain cock with a blue steel regulator, plain three arm gilt balance with blue steel spiral hairspring, and a polished steel cylinder with steel escape wheel”
  • “push pendant quarter repeating function on two rectangular section polished steel gongs”
  • “The watch can be wound and set using the gold push pendant and the signed gold cuvette.”

Reported Dial Configuration and Attributions

According to the listing text, the front features a silver engine-turned dial with Roman numerals and gold Breguet hands. Because only the case back is illustrated, this dial layout cannot be corroborated visually.

The source dates the watch to circa 1830 and attributes the piece with the signature 'J F Bautte et Cie a Geneve'. No movement serial numbers, case numbers, or official hallmark marks are recorded in the source text or shown in the image.

Evidence for this section
  • “The silver engine turned dial has elegant Roman numerals and is complemented by gold Breguet hands”
  • “Signed J F Bautte et Cie a Geneve”
  • “Circa 1830”

Open research questions

  • What specific inscription or serial numbers appear on the movement or the signed gold cuvette?
  • What official Swiss or French gold hallmarks are stamped on the interior or exterior of the case to substantiate the 18-carat gold content?
  • What is the visual appearance and preservation of the silver engine-turned dial and gold Breguet hands under the crystal?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for J F Bautte et Cie Swiss Quarter Repeating Cylinder Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJ F Bautte et Cie a Geneve“Signed J F Bautte et Cie a Geneve”
DateCirca 1830“Circa 1830”
Case Material18-carat gold“18-carat gold open face case”
Diameter36 mm“Diameter 36 mm”
EscapementCylinder“polished steel cylinder with steel escape wheel”
ComplicationPush pendant quarter repeating“push pendant quarter repeating function on two rectangular section polished steel gongs”
Dial DescriptionSilver engine-turned with Roman numerals and gold Breguet hands“The silver engine turned dial has elegant Roman numerals and is complemented by gold Breguet hands”
Movement LayoutKeywind gilt bar movement with suspended going barrel“small keywind gilt bar movement features a suspended going barrel”
CuvetteSigned gold cuvette“signed gold cuvette”

Visible details

  • Yellow gold open-face pocket watch case with elaborate chased floral and foliate scrolling on the bezel, pendant, and bow
  • Engine-turned rear cover centered by a small circular reserve engraved with a monogram
  • Milled or beaded outer rim framing the engine-turned case back

Research qualifications

  • The dial, cuvette, and internal movement mechanism are not visible in the provided photograph.
  • Serial number 50081 appeared in the proposal but is nowhere attested in the source text or image.

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

Consulted source

SMALL SWISS QUARTER REPEATING CYLINDER POCKET WATCH - 1830 » Watch Museum: Discover The World Of Antique & Vintage Pocket Watches

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record d0ae546067

Terms in this record

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

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