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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch

Le Roy, éléve de Breguet, No. 4344

Partially verified

This 18K gold minute-repeating pocket watch is attributed to Le Roy, éléve de Breguet, numbered 4344, and produced circa 1830 for the Islamic market. The watch features a four-body case with a scalloped edge and is decorated with painted enamel, including a back cover depicting sailing ships and mountains at sunset. The dial is white enamel with Islamic numerals and five-minute indicators in Islamic figures, paired with blued steel Breguet hands. Internally, it houses a 40 mm gilt early bridge caliber movement with a cylinder escapement, a three-arm gold balance, and a parachute suspension on the top pivot. The watch features a repeating mechanism on three gongs activated by a pull-and-twist piston in the pendant. The cuvette and dial are signed in Arabic characters. The auction description notes the movement utilizes an early minute-repeating mechanism based on a movable star wheel.

Front view of the watch dial, rear view of the enamelled cover, and an internal view showing the movement.
Front view of the watch dial, rear view of the enamelled cover, and an internal view showing the movement. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Le Roy, éléve de Breguet
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
268
Source-reported date
circa 1830
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
4344

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

The watch is housed in an 18K gold four-body case characterized by a scalloped edge. The exterior back cover features painted enamel work showing two sailing ships positioned against mountains and a sunset. The surrounding bezels and border are finished with pink enamel and gold scrolling.

The white enamel dial displays time using Islamic numerals, with outer minute markers indicated by Islamic figures. Blued steel Breguet-style hands provide the time indication. The dial bears signatures in Arabic characters.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, scalloped edge, back cover with a cove with two sailing ships, mountains against the sunset in the background, pink border and bezels with gold scrolling”
  • “White enamel, Islamic numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute Islamic figures.”
  • “Signed on the cuvette and dial in Arabic characters.”

Movement and Repeating Mechanism

The movement is a 40 mm gilt early bridge caliber equipped with a cylinder escapement. Notable technical features include a three-arm gold balance with a flat balance spring, a parachute suspension on the top pivot, and a standing barrel.

The watch functions as a minute repeater on three gongs. The mechanism is operated via a pull-and-twist piston located in the pendant. According to the auction report, the movement uses an early repeating mechanism based on a movable star wheel, a precursor to later fixed star wheel designs.

Evidence for this section
  • “M. 40 mm., gilt early bridge caliber, cylinder escapement, three-arm gold balance flat balance spring, entire escapement jeweled, compensation curb, parachute on the top pivot, standing barre”
  • “repeating on three gongs by pull-and-twist piston in the pendant.”
  • “A rare example of an early minute-repeating mechanism still based on the movable star wheel.”

Condition and Attribution

The auction house assigns the object a grade of AAA, though specifically identifies the movement as in "Good" condition.

The object is attributed to Le Roy, éléve de Breguet, circa 1830. The description specifies the piece was made for the Islamic market, evidenced by the Arabic numerals on the dial and the Arabic signature on the cuvette and dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent”
  • “Movement: 3* Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense”
  • “Le Roy, éléve de Breguet, No. 4344, made for the Islamic market, circa 1830.”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific nature of the 'movable star wheel' mechanism in the context of late 18th and early 19th-century minute repeaters?
  • Can the specific Arabic script used on the dial be translated to determine if the signature indicates a retailer or a patron?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Le Roy, éléve de Breguet, No. 4344
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerLe Roy, éléve de Breguet“Le Roy, éléve de Breguet, No. 4344”
Serial Number4344“No. 4344”
Case Material18K gold“18K gold and painted on enamel”
DialWhite enamel with Islamic numerals“White enamel, Islamic numerals, outer minute divisions with five-minute Islamic figures”
Movement size40 mm“M. 40 mm.”
EscapementCylinder escapement“cylinder escapement”
SignaturesArabic characters“Signed on the cuvette and dial in Arabic characters.”
ConditionGood“Movement: 3* Good”

Visible details

  • Case features a scalloped edge and painted enamel depicting a landscape with ships
  • Dial utilizes Islamic numerals
  • Repeating mechanism activated by pull-and-twist pendant piston
  • Movement is a gilt early bridge caliber

Research qualifications

  • Condition of the movement is described as needing an overhaul
  • The attribution to the Islamic market is stated by the source but lacks documentary evidence of specific regional commission

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

Consulted source

Le Roy, éléve de Breguet, No. 4344, made for the Islamic market, circa 1830.Very fine and important 18K gold and painted on enamel early minute-repeating watch repeating on three gongs.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record f3e24c4624

Terms in this record

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

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