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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

J. Ullmann & Co. Quarter-Repeating Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This J. Ullmann & Co. quarter-repeating pocket watch, identified by movement number 17747 and case number 156, dates to approximately 1890. The firm maintained operations in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, alongside significant presence in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tientsin, and Vladivostok. Housed in a four-body silver hunting case, the exterior features satin finishes and covers decorated with distinct imagery, including a hunting scene on one side and a log cabin on the other. The watch is wound and set via a keyless mechanism. The dial, constructed of white enamel, displays Roman numerals within a gilt oval cartouche, complemented by gilt dots and Arabic five-minute numerals. The movement is a gilt bar caliber, jeweled to the center with two screwed chatons. It incorporates a straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic balance, and a blued steel Breguet overcoil hairspring, all controlled by an index regulator.

Front view of the quarter-repeating pocket watch with hunting case showing the dial and the ornate engraving of a mounted figure.
Front view of the quarter-repeating pocket watch with hunting case showing the dial and the ornate engraving of a mounted figure. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
J. Ullmann & Co.
Reference
156
Catalogue / lot identifier
349
Source-reported date
circa 1890
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
17747

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 Aesthetic Decoration

The watch is enclosed in a four-body silver hunting case that measures 48.5 mm in diameter. The exterior surfaces are finished with a satin texture and feature a coin-edge band. The hinged covers are embellished with contrasting engraved themes: one side depicts a hunting scene, while the reverse side features a log cabin design.

The dial is white enamel and incorporates a gilt oval cartouche containing Roman numeral hour markers. The layout is further detailed with Arabic five-minute numerals around the periphery and a subsidiary seconds register. The piece is fitted with gilt fancy hands. The dial itself bears the signature of the firm.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, satin, hinged, decorated covers with a hunting scene to one side and log cabin to the other, coin edge band, hinged cuvette.”
  • “White enamel with Roman numerals within a gilt oval cartouche, out gilt dots and fi ve-minute Arabic numerals, subsidiary seconds.”

Movement and Mechanical Details

Internally, the timepiece is powered by a gilt bar-style movement. It is jeweled to the center and features two screwed chatons. The regulation of the timekeeping is achieved via an index regulator acting upon a blued steel Breguet overcoil hairspring.

The escapement is a standard straight-line lever type, paired with a cut bimetallic balance wheel. The movement is fully wound and set using a keyless mechanism, making it a functional quarter-repeating device, as stated in the documentation. The movement carries the individual serial number 17747.

Evidence for this section
  • “Gilt bar jeweled to the center with two screwed chatons, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, blued steel Breguet overcoil hairspring, index regulator.”
  • “movement No. 17747.”

Signatures and Reported Condition

The watch is signed on both the dial and the hinged cuvette, identifying the maker as J. Ullmann & Co. of La Chaux-de-Fonds, with commercial operations listed in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Tientsin, and Vladivostok.

The auction description provides a grading for the watch, noting the case as good but slightly worn. The dial is reported to have a hairline fracture.

Evidence for this section
  • “J.Uillmann & Co.,Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, locations in Hong Kong, Shanghai & Tientsin, Wladivostock.”
  • “Repair required, at buyer's expense”
  • “Dial: 70-01 ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairline”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific manufacturer of the ebauche used for this Ullmann & Co. quarter-repeater?
  • Can the provenance of the specific hunting scene and log cabin engraving be attributed to a particular engraver or workshop in the late 19th century?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for J. Ullmann & Co. Quarter-Repeating Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJ. Ullmann & Co.“J.Uillmann & Co.,Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland”
Movement Serial17747“movement No. 17747”
Case Serial156“No.156”
Diameter48.5 mm“Diam. 48.5 mm”
DialWhite enamel with Roman numerals“White enamel with Roman numerals within a gilt oval cartouche”
Case typeFour-body silver hunting case“Four-body, satin, hinged, decorated covers with a hunting scene to one side and log cabin to the other”
MovementGilt bar movement“Gilt bar jeweled to the center with two screwed chatons”

Visible details

  • Hunting scene decoration on the case cover
  • Log cabin decoration on the opposing case cover
  • Coin-edge case band

Research qualifications

  • Condition report indicates movement repair is required
  • Hairline crack in the enamel dial

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

Consulted source

J.ULLMANN & CO., HONG KONG, SHANGHAI & TIENTSIN J.Uillmann & Co.,Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland, locations in Hong Kong, Shanghai & Tientsin, Wladivostock. No.156, movement No. 17747. Made circa 1890. Fine, silver, keyless hunting cased quarter-repeating pocket watch.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record f820ee4e8a

Terms in this record

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

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