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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Sigismund Rentzsch gold case-wound quarter repeating pocket watch

Partially verified

This gold pocket watch by Sigismund Rentzsch, London, dates to circa 1827 and features an early system of keyless operation. Measuring 47 mm in diameter, the piece is wound by turning the case back counter-clockwise, while rotating the front bezel activates quarter repeating. Time setting is achieved via a liftable cap on the pendant. The gilded movement employs a ruby cylinder escapement and strikes on a coiled gong. Its gold dial exhibits an engine-turned centre, a satin-finished Roman numeral chapter ring, an offset subsidiary seconds display, and blued steel moon hands.

Front view of the gold open-face pocket watch showing the engine-turned dial and blued moon hands
Front view of the gold open-face pocket watch showing the engine-turned dial and blued moon hands — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Sigismund Rentzsch
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
60
Source-reported date
circa 1827
Country
United Kingdom

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 Construction and Keyless Operation

The watch utilizes an early form of keyless winding and hand-setting. The movement is wound by rotating the case back counter-clockwise, which engages a toothed wheel on the interior with a wheel fixed to the mainspring barrel. Time setting is accessed by lifting a cap located on the pendant.

The quarter repeating mechanism is activated by rotating the front bezel: clockwise rotation strikes the hours, while counter-clockwise rotation strikes the quarters. A small pawl fixed to the bezel interacts with an annular rack and the hour hand to track time.

Evidence for this section
  • “the case back rotating counter clockwise to wind”
  • “pendant with cap lifting for hand-set”
  • “The bezel to the case front rotates and repeats the hours when turned clockwise, and the quarters when rotated anti-clockwise.”
  • “Fixed to the front bezel, a small pawl extends a short distance over the edge of the dial; an annular rack is carried by the bezel clockwise until the pawl comes into contact with the tip of the hour hand.”

Dial and Exterior

The gold dial features an engine-turned center with a signature plaque below the XII numeral. It displays a satin-finished chapter ring with Roman numerals, an off-set subsidiary seconds subdial, and an outer pearled minute track. The watch is fitted with blued steel moon hands.

The gold case is engine-turned and features a central cartouche engraved with the monogram 'JW'. The case back can be unscrewed for release, and the case bears a maker's mark for Louis Comtesse.

Evidence for this section
  • “gold, satin finished chapter ring with Roman numerals, outer pearled minute ring, engine turned centre, blued steel moon hands, off-set subsidiary seconds, signed beneath 12 o'clock”
  • “the central cartouche with monogram JW”
  • “case with maker's mark LC with scroll above incuse for Louis Comtesse”

Movement and Condition

The gilded movement is equipped with a ruby cylinder escapement, a flat steel three-arm balance, and a going barrel with Geneva stop work. The movement signed 'Rentzsch, London' repeats on a coiled gong.

At the time of cataloguing, the movement was running and winding, and the hand-set was operational. The repeating work was noted as not functioning. The dial and case exhibit light scuffs, with rubbing to the engine-turned decoration.

Evidence for this section
  • “Movement: gilded, ruby cylinder escapement, flat steel three-arm balance, going barrel with Geneva stop work”
  • “repeating on a coiled gong, signed Rentzsch, London”
  • “Movement running and winding at time of cataloguing, hand-set operational, however the repeating work does not appear to be working at present.”
  • “Case with some light scuffs and scratches and rubbing to the engine turned decoration to case back and band.”

Open research questions

  • What is the mechanical cause of the repeating mechanism's failure to function?
  • Can the 1937 letter regarding the provenance of the watch be verified through external records?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Sigismund Rentzsch gold case-wound quarter repeating pocket watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Diameter47 mm“diameter 47mm”
EscapementRuby cylinder“ruby cylinder escapement”
Case Maker's MarkLC with scroll above incuse for Louis Comtesse“maker's mark LC with scroll above incuse for Louis Comtesse”
Dial MaterialGold“gold, satin finished chapter ring with Roman numerals”
Winding MechanismCase back rotated counter clockwise“the case back rotating counter clockwise to wind”
MakerSigismund Rentzsch“Sigismund Rentzsch, London”
Approximate Datecirca 1827“CIRCA 1827”
Diameter47 mm“diameter 47mm”

Visible details

  • Engine-turned gold dial centre with a small plaque signed RENTZSCH below XII.
  • Off-set subsidiary seconds subdial positioned between 7 and 8 o'clock.
  • Blued steel open-tipped moon hands and a beaded outer minute track.
  • Bow and fluted pendant cap at the top of the case.

Research qualifications

  • The internal movement and case back mechanism are not shown in this front view.
  • Source notes repeating work was not functioning at the time of cataloguing.

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

Consulted source

(#60) Sigismund Rentzsch, London

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record a7c036357d

Terms in this record

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

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