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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Ld Bordier Enamelled Gold Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This quarter-repeating pocket watch, attributed to Ld Bordier of Geneva (circa 1800), is housed in a gold case featuring a champlevé enamel scene of mythological figures. The case is decorated with a border of 53 half-pearls, while the bezel contains 60 half-pearls and is engraved with geometric champlevé enamel motifs. The watch features a white enamel dial with black Roman numerals and is signed "Ld Bordier" above the six o'clock position. The hands are crafted from pierced and engraved brass in the Louis XV style. Internally, the watch utilizes a pillar movement with a verge escapement, chain and fusee, and a large, pierced, and engraved brass balance cock. The quarter-repeating mechanism is activated by pressing the bow. The watch measures 52 mm in diameter and 19 mm in height, with a total weight of 97 grams. It is accompanied by a winding key.

Back view of the Ld Bordier pocket watch with its accompanying winding key, showing the enamelled mythological scene.
Back view of the Ld Bordier pocket watch with its accompanying winding key, showing the enamelled mythological scene. — Loerke Kunstauktionen AG (via Invaluable). Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Ld Bordier
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
119
Source-reported date
circa 1800
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
5107

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 Design

The exterior of the watch presents a high degree of ornamentation through the use of polychrome enamel and half-pearls. The reverse of the case displays a scene populated by three figures, bordered by a set of 53 half-pearls. The bezel is similarly adorned with 60 half-pearls and incorporates geometric champlevé enamel work.

The dial is white enamel, featuring black Roman numerals. The hour and minute hands are pierced and engraved brass, described as Louis XV in style. The signature "Ld Bordier" is present on the dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “bordered by 53 half pearls, depicting a mythological scene.”
  • “The bezel is decorated with 60 half pearls, the central part and the bezel are engraved with small geometric motifs in champlevé enamel.”
  • “Gilded hands, in pierced and engraved brass, Louis XV style.”

Movement and Mechanism

The watch functions as a quarter-repeater, triggered by the action of pressing the bow. Power is delivered via a chain and fusee system. The movement itself is of the pillar type, containing a verge escapement and a large, pierced, and engraved balance cock.

Regulation of the timepiece is managed via a small silver regulating dial located within the movement. The movement carries the signature "Ld Bordier" and is marked with the number 5107 alongside the location "Genève".

Evidence for this section
  • “Quarter repeater, signed: Ld Bordier No. 5107 (Genève).”
  • “Pillar movement, large pierced and engraved brass balance cock, small silver regulating dial”
  • “verge escapement, winding and hand setting with keys, chain and fusee, striking work on bell, triggered by pressing the bow.”

Provenance and Condition

The watch has been recorded in an expertise report authored in 2003 by Prof. Curtit, which declared the instrument to be in a state of perfect preservation and function.

Following the date of that report, the object has been held in a display case. The auction description reports that the lot is being offered as a specific item from a collection, though it does not provide earlier history beyond the 2003 assessment.

Evidence for this section
  • “In 2003, Prof. Curtit wrote in his expertise: Example in perfect state of preservation and function.”
  • “Since then, the watch has been exhibited in a display case.”

Open research questions

  • What specific mythological scene is depicted on the enamel back?
  • Does the serial number 5107 correspond to known archives for the Bordier workshops in Geneva?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Ld Bordier Enamelled Gold Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLd Bordier“Ld Bordier”
Serial Number5107“No. 5107 (Genève)”
Datecirca 1800“CIRCA 1800”
Diameter52 mm“D: 52 mm”
SignatureLd Bordier“signed: Ld Bordier”

Visible details

  • Case back features a polychrome mythological scene in enamel
  • Bezel and back border are densely set with half-pearls
  • Dial features a sub-second winding hole at the two o'clock position
  • Movement contains a small silver regulating dial

Research qualifications

  • The source provides a 2003 expertise statement regarding the watch's function that is not verified by current inspection.
  • The attribution of the watch to the city of Geneva rests on the movement engraving, which may or may not correlate to the primary place of manufacture.

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

Consulted source

(275) BORDIER, ENAMELLED GOLD WATCH, QUARTER REPEATER, CIRCA 1800

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 36272d7f76

Terms in this record

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

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