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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating pendant watch

Miniature Quarter Repeating Pendant Watch by Bonna Frères

Partially verified

This miniature pendant watch, attributed to Switzerland circa 1790, features a quarter-repeating mechanism. The watch is housed in a rectangular gold case with chamfered corners, decorated with pierced work and engraving designed to facilitate the sound of the repeating mechanism. The bezel is embellished with blue enamel and diamonds, and the suspension bow is also diamond-set. The white enamel dial is signed "Bonna Frères" and displays Roman numerals for timekeeping, alongside a visible balance wheel bordered with small diamonds. The movement is key-wound, incorporating a polished steel cylinder escapement and a decorative balance. A small steel slide located at the five o'clock position activates the quarter-repeating strike. The piece is accompanied by a brown morocco leather case with gilt tooling and cream velvet lining, and a golden winding key is concealed beneath the velvet insert.

Miniature pendant watch featuring a gold rectangular case, diamond-set bezel, and visible balance wheel, signed Bonna Frères.
Miniature pendant watch featuring a gold rectangular case, diamond-set bezel, and visible balance wheel, signed Bonna Frères. — Pieces of Time / Zamanito. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter-repeating pendant watch
Maker / attribution
Bonna Frères
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1790
Source-reported place
Switzerland

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 watch is encased in a rectangular gold body featuring chamfered corners. The case is decorated with pierced and engraved patterns, a construction method intended to enhance the acoustic projection of the internal striking mechanism. The front bezel is enriched with blue enamel and diamonds, while the suspension bow is further adorned with diamonds.

The dial is composed of white enamel and is signed by Bonna Frères. It features a dedicated section for Roman numeral time display, positioned beneath a visible balance wheel. The balance wheel assembly itself is bordered by small diamonds, and the hour and minute hands are constructed from blue steel in a Breguet style.

Evidence for this section
  • “بدنه مستطیلی کوچک آن از طلا با گوشه‌های پخ‌خورده ساخته شده که برای خروج بهتر صدای زنگ، به‌صورت مشبک و حکاکی‌شده طراحی شده است.”
  • “زه جلویی از طلا و مینا با تزیین الماس بوده و حلقه آویز طلایی آن نیز با الماس‌های ریز مرصع شده است.”
  • “از مینای سفید امضاشده تشکیل شده که بخش فرعی نمایش زمان با ارقام رومی در زیر بالانس مرئی قرار دارد”

Movement and Repeating Mechanism

The movement features a full-plate rectangular layout with chamfered edges, with approximately half of the upper plate removed to accommodate the small internal bell. The timepiece is key-wound and uses a polished steel cylinder escapement and a decorative balance. Five of the balance arms were removed to allow access to the top pivot.

The quarter-repeating function is controlled by a steel slide located at the five o'clock position on the case. This slide is protected by a small spring-loaded dust cover, ensuring the integrity of the mechanism when not in use.

Evidence for this section
  • “موتور ساعت دارای صفحه کامل مستطیلی با گوشه‌های پخ‌خورده است که تقریباً نیمی از صفحه بالایی آن برای جای‌گیری زنگ کوچک بریده شده است.”
  • “شامل سیلندر فولادی پرداخت‌شده، چرخ دنگ فولادی و بالانس تزیینی”
  • “مکانیزم تکرارکننده ربع ساعت توسط یک ضامن فولادی کوچک در موقعیت ساعت پنج فعال می‌شود و دارای درپوش فنری ضدغبار در شکاف مربوطه است.”

Provenance and Presentation

The watch is accompanied by an oval, brown morocco leather box. The exterior of the box features gilt tooling, while the interior is lined with cream-colored velvet. The box is associated with the retailer Russells.

Inside the presentation case, a golden winding key is located beneath the internal cushion.

Evidence for this section
  • “به همراه این ساعت، یک جعبه بیضی‌شکل قهوه‌ای چرم مراکشی (morocco) با تزیینات طلاکوب و مخمل کرم‌رنگ متعلق به خرده‌فروش Russells ارائه شده”
  • “کلید طلایی با برداشتن بالشتک داخلی در دسترس قرار می‌گیرد.”

Open research questions

  • What is the full historical record of the 'Bonna Frères' maker?
  • Does the engraving on the case back provide specific information regarding the movement's history?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Miniature Quarter Repeating Pendant Watch by Bonna Frères
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Country of originSwitzerland“مبدا ساخت: سوئیس”
Datecirca 1790“حدود ۱۷۹۰”
Case materialGold“بدنه مستطیلی کوچک آن از طلا”
EscapementCylinder escapement“دنگ سیلندری فولادی پرداخت‌شده”
Repeating mechanismQuarter repeating“مکانیزم تکرارکننده ربع ساعت (Quarter Repeating)”
Dial featuresWhite enamel with visible balance“از مینای سفید امضاشده تشکیل شده که بخش فرعی نمایش زمان با ارقام رومی در زیر بالانس مرئی قرار دارد”
AccompanimentsMorocco leather case and winding key“به همراه این ساعت، یک جعبه بیضی‌شکل قهوه‌ای چرم مراکشی (morocco) با تزیینات طلاکوب”

Visible details

  • The dial is signed "Bonna Frères" at the upper register.
  • The balance wheel is positioned at the top of the dial, surrounded by small diamonds.
  • The back of the case features engraved French instructions for winding and setting.
  • The case has a slide-activated quarter-repeater mechanism on the side.

Research qualifications

  • The dating to circa 1790 is an estimate provided by the auction house.
  • The identification of the retailer as 'Russells' relies on the auction house report.

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

Consulted source

Rare Miniature Quarter Repeating Pendant Watch

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 08f0fc5070

Terms in this record

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

Other quarter-repeating pendant watch records