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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter-repeater pocket watch

Patek et Czapek Lépine quarter-repeater pocket watch

Partially verified

This antique Lépine open-face pocket watch features a gold case with an engraved bezel, fluted Breguet-style middle section, and a case back engraved with an armorial crest bearing a crescent moon and star. The dust cover bears an inscription in Polish referencing Patek and Czapek in Geneva, detailing technical specifications and number 654. The cracked white enamel dial displays Roman hour numerals and gilt brass fleur-de-lis hands. According to the auction catalogue, the movement features a quarter-repeater striking on bells, a duplex escapement, key or bow winding, and an engine-turned silver-plated movement plate.

Front dial view of the Lépine pocket watch with Roman numerals and engraved gold bezel
Front dial view of the Lépine pocket watch with Roman numerals and engraved gold bezel — Invaluable / LOERKE KUNSTAUKTIONEN AG / Galerie Moenius AG. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter-repeater pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Patek et Czapek
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
305
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
654

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 Exterior Construction

The watch features a gold Lépine open-face case. The exterior includes a fluted Breguet-style middle section and a bezel decorated with relief floral and scroll engravings. The case back is engraved with a central coat of arms featuring a crescent moon and star surmounted by a crown with foliage. A Soviet 14K silver hallmark is also present on the case.

A large circular gold pendant bow is attached to the case, holding a metal inventory tag marked '157'.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case back engraved with a central coat of arms featuring a crescent moon and star surmounted by a crown with foliage, a fluted Breguet-style center section, and a Soviet silver hallmark (14K). Engraved bezel.”
  • “Large circular gold pendant bow holding an attached metal inventory tag stamped '157'.”

Dial and Visual Condition

The watch is fitted with a white enamel dial featuring Roman hour numerals. The hands are crafted from gilt brass and are styled in a fleur-de-lis motif. The dial currently displays hairline cracks.

According to an expert assessment from the 1990s, the current white enamel dial replaced an original silver-plated and engraved dial. This assessment also notes that the balance wheel is not original to the piece.

Evidence for this section
  • “Dial: White enamel, cracked, with Roman numerals.”
  • “Hands: Gilt brass, fleur-de-lis style; lever/slide activation.”
  • “The enamel dial has replaced the original, which was silver-plated and engraved.”
  • “The balance wheel is not original to the piece.”

Mechanism and Technical Specifications

The movement is a quarter-repeater that strikes on bells, utilizing a duplex escapement, a flat regulator, and a monometallic balance. The silver-plated movement plate features engine-turned (guilloché) decoration. The watch uses key or bow winding and crown-set hands. Expert assessment describes the bow-operated winding system as an early configuration that winds in only one direction.

The dust cover bears a Polish inscription: "Patek et Tasapek, w Grenewie, Wychwyt Podwoyny, Walec Podnoszenie I Pietmas cie Czopow w Rubinach, Rownacz podwoyny nr. 654".

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: Quarter-repeater striking on bells; silver-plated and engine-turned (guilloché) movement plate; duplex escapement; flat regulator; monometallic balance; key or bow wind; crown-set hands.”
  • “A distinctive feature is the winding system—operated via the bow—which is one of the earliest examples, as it winds in only one direction.”
  • “Dust cover engraved in Polish: "Patek et Tasapek, w Grenewie, Wychwyt Podwoyny, Walec Podnoszenie I Pietmas cie Czopow w Rubinach, Rownacz podwoyny nr. 654".”

Open research questions

  • What specific archival records exist for the Patek et Czapek '654' serial sequence to verify the original movement configuration?
  • Can the origin of the Soviet 14K hallmark be reconciled with the documented early-series Polish inscription?
  • Are there records confirming when the balance wheel and enamel dial were substituted?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Patek et Czapek Lépine quarter-repeater pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Dust cover inscriptionPatek et Tasapek, w Grenewie, Wychwyt Podwoyny, Walec Podnoszenie I Pietmas cie Czopow w Rubinach, Rownacz podwoyny nr. 654“Dust cover engraved in Polish: "Patek et Tasapek, w Grenewie, Wychwyt Podwoyny, Walec Podnoszenie I Pietmas cie Czopow w Rubinach, Rownacz podwoyny nr. 654".”
EscapementDuplex escapement“duplex escapement”
ComplicationQuarter-repeater striking on bells“Quarter-repeater striking on bells”
Dimensions and weightDia.: 46.2 mm, H: 12.2 mm, Wt.: 79 g“Dia.: 46.2 mm, H: 12.2 mm, Wt.: 79 g”
HandsGilt brass, fleur-de-lis style“Hands: Gilt brass, fleur-de-lis style”
Serial Number654“Rownacz podwoyny nr. 654”
MeasurementsDiameter 46.2 mm, Height 12.2 mm, Weight 79 g“Dia.: 46.2 mm, H: 12.2 mm, Wt.: 79 g”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial displaying visible hairline cracks through the center and upper right quadrants.
  • Gold bezel decorated with relief floral and scroll engraving.
  • Gilt brass hands terminating in decorative fleur-de-lis motifs.
  • Large circular gold pendant bow holding an attached metal inventory tag stamped '157'.

Research qualifications

  • Source notes the white enamel dial and balance wheel are later replacements rather than original components.
  • Case back engraving, Soviet hallmark, dust cover inscription, and internal movement plates are described in the catalogue but not visible in the provided front photograph.

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

Consulted source

At Auction: (157) EARLY GOLD PATEK LÉPINE WITH QUARTER REPEATER

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 8825b77ac1

Terms in this record

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

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