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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter striking pocket watch

Jaquet Droz quarter striking clock-watch with center seconds

Partially verified

This quarter-striking clock-watch, produced by Jaquet Droz in London around 1785, is a gold and enamel timepiece featuring center seconds. Measuring 52 mm in diameter, the case is a three-body construction with a hinged bezel and back, both set with pearls and adorned with dark blue and white enamel semi-circles. The back cover depicts a miniature painting of a shepherd and shepherdess in an arcadian landscape set against a translucent dark blue ground, further decorated with cream enamel and multi-colored paillon borders. The watch features a white enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, an outer seconds ring, and Arabic quarter markers, complemented by fine pierced gold hands. The 36 mm frosted gilt full-plate movement includes standing barrels and a cylinder escapement, with the balance bridge foliage-pierced to form the signature. The mechanism strikes on a bell using two hammers.

The watch shown with dial, back cover, and open movement.
The watch shown with dial, back cover, and open movement. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter striking pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Jaquet Droz
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
228
Source-reported date
circa 1785
Source-reported place
London

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 Dial Aesthetics

The watch is housed in a three-body gold case, designed with a focus on ornamental enamel work and pearl settings. Both the hinged bezel and the hinged case back are encircled by rows of pearls, complemented by dark blue and white enamel semi-circles. The central motif on the back cover consists of a finely painted scene depicting a shepherd and shepherdess within an arcadian landscape. This imagery is set against a dark blue translucent ground, accented by cream-colored enamel and multi-colored paillon borders.

The dial is crafted from white enamel and utilizes radial Roman numerals for hour indication. It includes a distinct outer track for the center-seconds function, which features Arabic numerals to mark the quarters. The display is completed by a set of fine pierced gold hands, which contrast against the white ground of the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “hinged bezel set with pearls and decorated withdark blue and white enamel semi-circles”
  • “finelypainted with a scene of a young couple dresssed as a shepherdand shepherdess in an arcadian landscape”
  • “White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer secondsring, Arabic quarter markers.”

Movement and Mechanical Function

The timepiece is powered by a 36 mm frosted gilt full-plate movement. The caliber incorporates standing barrels and employs a cylinder escapement for timekeeping. It is designed as a clock-watch capable of quarter-striking, utilizing two hammers to sound against a bell.

A specific feature of the movement is the balance cock, which is pierced with foliate decoration. This decorative piercing is designed to form the name 'Droz'. The movement is signed, identifying it as a product of the Jaquet Droz firm in London.

Evidence for this section
  • “frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars,standing barrels, cylinder escapement”
  • “continental style cock foliate-pierced to formthe name "Droz”
  • “striking with two hammers on a bell.”

Provenance and Condition

The object is documented in the publication 'Orologi della collezione Ruscitti' where it is catalogued as number 35. Historical auction records indicate that the watch was previously offered for sale by Antiquorum on October 14, 2001, as lot 602.

The current condition report provided by the auction house assigns a grade of 3 to both the case and the movement.

Evidence for this section
  • “This watch is illustrated in ?Orologi della collezione Ruscitti? as no. 35, and was sold by Antiquorum on October 14, 2001, lot 602.”
  • “Grading System Grade: Case: 3 Good Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific composition of the paillon decorative elements?
  • Can the provenance be traced further back than the 2001 auction sale?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Jaquet Droz quarter striking clock-watch with center seconds
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJaquet Droz“Jaquet Droz, London, circa 1785.”
Case constructionThree-body with hinged bezel and back“C. Three-body, hinged bezel set with pearls and decorated withdark blue and white enamel semi-circles”
Dial detailsWhite enamel with radial Roman numerals“D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer secondsring, Arabic quarter markers.”
Movement typeFrosted gilt full-plate with cylinder escapement“M. 36 mm., frosted gilt full-plate with cylindrical pillars,standing barrels, cylinder escapement”
Movement signatureSigned on the movement“Signed on the movement.”
Striking mechanismQuarter striking on a bell“striking with two hammers on a bell.”
ProvenancePreviously sold by Antiquorum in 2001“was sold by Antiquorum on October 14, 2001, lot 602.”
Literature referenceOrologi della collezione Ruscitti“This watch is illustrated in ?Orologi della collezione Ruscitti? as no. 35”

Visible details

  • Case features a pearl-set hinged bezel and back
  • Dial displays an outer seconds track with Arabic numerals for quarters
  • The balance cock is pierced in the form of the name 'Droz'
  • The scene on the back cover is rendered in enamel on a translucent blue ground

Research qualifications

  • The internal mechanism status is unverified; an overhaul is recommended
  • The exact nature of the 'paillon' materials is not specified in the description

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

Consulted source

Jaquet Droz, London, circa 1785. Extremely fine and rare gold and enamel, pearl set quarter striking clock-watch with center seconds.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record a3d5319c44

Terms in this record

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