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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating perpetual calendar pocket watch

LeCoultre Minute Repeater & Perpetual Calendar Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This 14K pink gold hunting-cased keyless pocket watch is attributed to LeCoultre and manufactured for the Russian market circa 1890. The timepiece features a minute repeating mechanism activated by a slide on the case band, along with a perpetual calendar and moon phase display. The watch is housed in a heavy four-body 'bassine et filet' polished case measuring 55 mm in diameter, with a hinged gold cuvette protecting the movement. The white enamel dial is decorated with radial Roman numerals, an outer minute track, and four subsidiary dials indicating the month, four-year cycle, date, and day of the week, with a distinct aperture for moon phases. The movement is rhodium-plated, measuring 43 mm and 19 lignes, featuring 31 jewels, wolf's tooth winding, a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, and a cut bimetallic compensation balance with a blued steel Breguet balance spring.

Front view of the LeCoultre pocket watch with its hunting cover open to reveal the dial, alongside a view of the movement showing the internal mechanism.
Front view of the LeCoultre pocket watch with its hunting cover open to reveal the dial, alongside a view of the movement showing the internal mechanism. — Antiquorum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
catalog.antiquorum.swiss
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating perpetual calendar pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Probably LeCoultre
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
19
Source-reported date
circa 1890
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
15004

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 a heavy, four-body 14K pink gold hunting case constructed in the 'bassine et filet' style with a polished exterior finish. The case is equipped with a hinged gold cuvette that acts as an inner cover for the mechanical components.

The white enamel dial features radial Roman numerals and an outer minute track for timekeeping. It is outfitted with blued steel 'spade' hands. Four subsidiary dials are integrated into the display, providing indications for the months, the four-year leap-year cycle, the date, and the days of the week, complemented by an aperture for the moon phases.

Evidence for this section
  • “Four-body, ?bassine et filet?, heavy, polished. Hinged gold cuvette.”
  • “White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary dials for the months and four-year cycle, date, days of the week and seconds, aperture for the moon phases.”

Movement and Escapement

The movement measures 43 mm (19 lignes) and is finished with rhodium plating and 'fausses-cotes' decoration. It operates on 31 jewels and utilizes a wolf’s tooth winding system to manage the mainspring tension.

The watch includes a minute repeating function, activated by a slide positioned on the case band, which chimes on internal gongs. The timekeeping precision is managed by a counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, a cut bimetallic compensation balance, and a blued steel Breguet balance spring, with an index regulator for adjustments.

Evidence for this section
  • “43 mm., 19???, rhodium plated, ?fausses-cotes? decoration, 31 jewels, wolf?s tooth winding”
  • “counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide on the band.”

Provenance and Condition

The object is recorded as being manufactured for the Russian market circa 1890.

The auction house assigns an overall grading of 'AAA' to the object. Individual condition reports for the case, movement, and dial are all classified as '2' or 'Very good', with the dial specifically noted as '2-1' and 'As new' in the provided summary table.

Evidence for this section
  • “Made for the Russian market circa 1890.”
  • “Grading System Grade: AAA Excellent Case: 2 Very good Movement: 2 Very good Dial: 2-1 Very good As new”

Open research questions

  • What evidence exists to support the attribution of the watch to the Russian market?
  • Are there any maker's marks or specific hallmarks on the case that could confirm the 'probably LeCoultre' attribution?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for LeCoultre Minute Repeater & Perpetual Calendar Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerProbably LeCoultre“probably LeCoultre”
Serial number15004“No. 15004”
Case material14K pink gold“14K pink gold”
Movement size43 mm, 19 lignes“43 mm., 19???”
Jewel count31 jewels“31 jewels”
Repeating mechanismMinute repeater“minute repeating, astronomic, 14K pink gold, hunting-cased keyless pocket watch”
Market associationRussian market“Made for the Russian market”

Visible details

  • Case features a 'bassine et filet' profile with polished finish.
  • Dial includes subsidiary dials for month, leap-year cycle, date, and day.
  • Movement displays 'fausses-cotes' decoration and wolf's tooth winding wheels.
  • The repeating mechanism is engaged via a slide located on the side of the case band.

Research qualifications

  • The maker is identified as 'probably LeCoultre' rather than as a confirmed attribution.
  • The destination of the watch as being for the 'Russian market' is an attribution provided by the source.

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

Consulted source

'Minute Repeater & Perpetual Calendar' Swiss, probably LeCoultre, No. 15004. Made for the Russian market circa 1890. Extremely fine and rare, large, minute repeating, astronomic, 14K pink gold, hunting-cased keyless pocket watch with perpetual calendar and moon phases.

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record e7060393d7

Terms in this record

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

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