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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Minute repeating hunter case pocket watch

Surete Minute-Repeating Chronograph Pocket Watch

Partially verified

This hunter-case pocket watch, attributed to the maker Surete, is held by the Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology (accession number TEKS0024480). Constructed of 18 karat gold, the watch features a minute-repeater mechanism and a chronograph with a 1/5 second stop function. The dial displays multiple complications, including day of the week, date, month, and moon phases. The inner case lid is engraved with the maker name "Sureté," technical specifications including "Repition de Minutes," "Chronographe Quantiémes," and "Phases de Lune," the serial number 214137, and representations of two medals awarded at the 1900 Paris World Exhibition. The watch measures 57.0 mm in diameter and weighs 0.15 kg. According to museum documentation, the object was purchased in Monte Carlo in May 1903. The internal case spring was identified as broken upon its arrival at the institution.

Front view of the Surete pocket watch with the hunter case open, displaying the dial and complication apertures.
Front view of the Surete pocket watch with the hunter case open, displaying the dial and complication apertures. — Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology via Europeana. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
orbiscollectibles.com
Category
Pocket watch · Minute repeating hunter case pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Surete
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
TEKS0024480
Source-reported date
circa 1900-1903
Source-reported place
Not established
Source-reported serial
214137

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 External Features

The watch is housed in an 18 karat gold hunter case measuring 57.0 mm in diameter. The design includes a hinged front cover that protects the dial and displays engraved references to technical capabilities and awards upon its inner surface.

External control elements visible on the side of the case include a winding crown and a chronograph pusher, which operate the stopwatch and other functions.

Evidence for this section
  • “Repeating watch in gold case, hunter case with stop for 1/5 second”
  • “diameter 57.0 mm”
  • “18 karat”

Dial and Complications

The dial incorporates a complex layout to accommodate multiple functions. It features apertures for displaying the day of the week, the date, and the month. A prominent sub-dial positioned at the bottom of the dial indicates the lunar cycle through moon phases.

The chronograph mechanism provides a stop function accurate to 1/5 of a second. These indicators allow the user to track time at various intervals, alongside the minute-repeating function which provides an audible time indication when activated.

Evidence for this section
  • “showing month, date, day of the week and moon phases”
  • “hunter case with stop for 1/5 second”

Signatures and History

The inner case lid serves as the primary identifier, signed with the name "Sureté." It lists the watch’s functions: "Repition de Minutes," "Chronographe Quantiémes," and "Phases de Lune." The serial number 214137 is engraved alongside imagery of two medals from the 1900 Paris World Exhibition,

Museum records confirm the watch was purchased in Monte Carlo in May 1903. While the watch is noted as fully functional, the institution recorded that the spring responsible for opening the hunter case was found to be broken upon the object's arrival at the museum.

Evidence for this section
  • “Inside the case on the inner case lid engraved: "Sureté”
  • “No. 214137”
  • “two medals from the World Exhibition in Paris 1900”
  • “The spring that opens the case was broken upon arrival at TM.”

Open research questions

  • Does the maker Surete represent an independent manufacturer or a brand under which these complications were produced?
  • Is the gold content consistent across all parts of the case, given the museum's broad classification of materials?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Surete Minute-Repeating Chronograph Pocket Watch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerSurete“maker recorded: Surete”
Serial Number214137“No. 214137”
Material18 karat gold“18 karat”
Diameter57.0 mm“diameter 57.0 mm”
FunctionsMinute repeater, chronograph with 1/5 second stop, calendar, moon phase“Repeating watch in gold case, hunter case with stop for 1/5 second, showing month, date, day of the week and moon phases.”
ProvenancePurchased in Monte Carlo, May 1903“Purchased by the donor in May 1903 in Monte Carlo.”
Exhibition contextCommemorates 1900 Paris World Exhibition“two medals from the World Exhibition in Paris 1900”

Visible details

  • Open hunter-case lid with engraving
  • Multiple calendar apertures on the dial
  • Moon phase sub-dial at the six o'clock position
  • Chronograph pusher located on the watch case side

Research qualifications

  • The specific metal composition is noted broadly by the museum as precious metal (gold, silver, platinum) despite the inner lid mentioning 18 karat gold.
  • The exact role of Surete as a manufacturer versus a retailer or brand name is not clarified in the provided source.

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

Consulted source

Pocket watch, repeater, Surete

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 0c2c777670

Terms in this record

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

Other minute repeating hunter case pocket watch records