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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Open-face carillon quarter repeating pocket watch

Swiss 18K Gold Openface Carillon Quarter Repeating Watch, No. 13'532

Partially verified

This Swiss openface keywound pocket watch is dated by the auction house to circa 1820 and features a 55.5 mm diameter 18K gold case. The manual movement provides a carillon quarter-repeating mechanism on gongs, striking the hours followed by three descending tones for each elapsed quarter hour. The white enamel dial is set with italicized Arabic numerals, an outer minute track, blued steel open-tipped Breguet-style hands, and a winding aperture near the 2 o'clock position. Although bearing the signature 'Breguet & Fils' on the dial and inner cuvette, the auction cataloguer clarifies that this later signature does not originate from the workshop of Abraham-Louis Breguet.

Front view of the Swiss 18K gold openface carillon quarter repeating watch, showing the white enamel dial signed Breguet & Fils
Front view of the Swiss 18K gold openface carillon quarter repeating watch, showing the white enamel dial signed Breguet & Fils — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Open-face carillon quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
484
Source-reported date
circa 1820
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
13'532

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 18K gold open-face case measuring 55.5 mm in diameter. The case features the signature 'Breguet & Fils' on the cuvette, which the auction house states does not refer to the house of Abraham Louis Breguet.

The case condition is described as having minor surface scratches and being in generally good overall condition.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE MATERIAL: 18K gold”
  • “CASE SIZE: 55.5 mm. diam.”
  • “As described the signature Breguet & Fils does not refer to the celebrated house of Abraham Louis Breguet”
  • “Case: Minor surface scratches, generally good overall condition.”

Dial and Indication

The timepiece features a white enamel dial with a signature of 'Breguet & Fils'. The auction house clarifies that this signature does not refer to the house of Abraham Louis Breguet.

The dial is described as slightly dirty with small surface scratches, but otherwise nice and intact.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: White enamel”
  • “As described the signature Breguet & Fils does not refer to the celebrated house of Abraham Louis Breguet”
  • “Dial: Slightly dirty, small surface scratches, otherwise nice and intact.”

Mechanism and Functionality

The watch utilizes a manual, key-wound movement with a carillon quarter-repeating mechanism. The hours are struck first, followed by three strikes in a descending tone for each elapsed quarter hour.

At the time of cataloging, the movement was ticking and the repeating function was working. The movement has not been tested for accuracy and a service is recommended.

Evidence for this section
  • “MOVEMENT: Manual”
  • “the hours are struck first in the usual way, followed by three strikes in a descending tone for each elapsed quarter hour.”
  • “The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing, repeating is working”
  • “The movement has not been tested for accuracy. A service is recommended.”

Open research questions

  • What is the provenance or maker of the movement given the attribution of the signature is disputed?
  • Are there specific horological records for serial number 13'532 that identify the original Swiss manufacturer?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss 18K Gold Openface Carillon Quarter Repeating Watch, No. 13'532
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Material18K gold“CASE MATERIAL: 18K gold”
Case Size55.5 mm. diam.“CASE SIZE: 55.5 mm. diam.”
DialWhite enamel“DIAL: White enamel”
MovementManual“MOVEMENT: Manual”
FunctionsQuarter repeating“FUNCTIONS: Quarter repeating”
Circa1820“CIRCA: 1820”
Estimated Datecirca 1820“CIRCA: 1820”
Serial Number13'532“NO. 13’532”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial with black cursive Arabic numerals and outer minute track.
  • Blued steel open-tipped Breguet hands.
  • Winding aperture located between the center arbor and the 2 o'clock numeral.
  • Gold pendant and stirrup-shaped bow atop the round case.
  • Dial inscribed in script 'Breguet & Fils' above the 6 o'clock position.

Research qualifications

  • The auction house notes that the 'Breguet & Fils' signatures on the dial and cuvette are later additions not referring to Abraham-Louis Breguet.
  • The movement and cuvette are not visible in the provided lot image.

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

Consulted source

SWISS, 18K GOLD OPENFACE CARILLON QUARTER REPEATING ON GONGS KEYWOUND WATCH, NO. 13’532 | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 57eb749487

Terms in this record

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