Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating hunter case pocket watch

Montandon Freres 18ct Gold Minute Repeater

Partially verified

This Montandon Freres minute-repeater pocket watch, dated to approximately 1880, is constructed with an 18-karat yellow gold full hunter case measuring 55 mm in diameter. The exterior of the case features intricate floral garland engraving and includes a vacant cartouche on the front cover. The dial is composed of silver and gold, featuring a gold floral garland edge, black Roman numerals, and a subsidiary seconds dial at six o'clock with a blued steel Fleur-de-Lis hand. The keyless lever movement is nickel-finished, highly jewelled, and includes a compensation balance, a Breguet overcoil hairspring, and wolf's tooth winding. The repeating mechanism utilizes polished steel hammers to chime hours, quarters, and minutes. The inner dust cover is signed "Montandon Freres Locale" and notes production for "Gmo Eppner Lima," with the watch cases bearing signatures, numbering, and hallmarks.

Front view of the Montandon Freres 18ct gold hunter case pocket watch with the front cover open, displaying the silver and gold dial with floral details.
Front view of the Montandon Freres 18ct gold hunter case pocket watch with the front cover open, displaying the silver and gold dial with floral details. — Watch Museum. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
watchmuseum.org
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Montandon Freres
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
Source URL identifies the listing
Source-reported date
circa 1880
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

The pocket watch is housed in an 18-karat yellow gold full hunter case, measuring 55 mm in diameter. The exterior surfaces of the covers are heavily decorated with engraved floral garlands. The front cover incorporates a vacant cartouche.

The dial is constructed from a combination of silver and gold materials, featuring a central gold garland motif. The display includes black Roman numerals and a subsidiary dial for seconds at the six o'clock position. The hands consist of blued steel in a Fleur-de-Lis pattern, matching the smaller hand utilized on the sub-dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “original blued steel Fleur-di-Lis hands and matching second hand”

Movement and Repeating Mechanism

The timepiece is powered by a keyless lever movement that is nickel-finished and highly jewelled. Technical components include a compensation balance and a Breguet overcoil hairspring, alongside wolf's tooth winding wheels.

The repeating complication is operated by polished steel hammers, which are configured to strike the hours, quarters, and minutes. This system allows for audible timekeeping through the repeating mechanism.

Evidence for this section
  • “keyless lever movement is highly jewelled and nickel finished, boasting wolf's tooth winding, a compensation balance, and a Breguet”
  • “polished steel hammers that chime the hours, quarters,”

Signatures and Provenance

The watch is signed by the Swiss maker Montandon Freres of La Locle. The inner dust cover contains specific markings indicating that the watch was produced for Gmo Eppner Lima.

The case includes internal hallmarks and numeric markings, although the specific case number is not provided in the source description.

Evidence for this section
  • “cases are fully signed, numbered, and hallmarked”

Open research questions

  • What is the specific case number of this watch?
  • What is the full provenance of the retailer Gmo Eppner Lima associated with this watch?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Montandon Freres 18ct Gold Minute Repeater
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerMontandon Freres“Montandon Freres”
Material18ct yellow gold“heavy 18ct yellow gold case”
Datecirca 1880“crafted circa 1880”
Diameter55 mm“Diameter: 55 mm (2.17 in)”
MovementKeyless lever, nickel finished“keyless lever movement is highly jewelled and nickel finished”
ComplicationMinute repeater“polished steel hammers that chime the hours, quarters,”

Visible details

  • Case features floral engraving with a vacant cartouche
  • Dial incorporates silver and gold elements with a floral motif
  • Blued steel Fleur-de-Lis hands are used for both time and seconds

Research qualifications

  • Specific serial number not provided in source text despite mention of case being numbered
  • Exact metal assay mark details are not described beyond "hallmarked"

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

Consulted source

Montandon Freres 18CT Gold Engraved Lever Minute Repeater - 1880

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 77759db83c

Terms in this record

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

Other minute repeating hunter case pocket watch records