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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Hunterd quarter repeating pocket watch

Swiss Gold and Enamel Hunting Cased Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch with Portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar

Partially verified

This Swiss-attributed gold pocket watch, dating to circa 1895, features a hunting case decorated with an enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar. The keyless quarter repeating movement is unsigned, with inscriptions recording a straight-line lever escapement with chatons, a Breguet balance spring, 32 jewels, and 14-karat gold composition. The outer gold border framing the enamel plaque is chased with repeated foliate decoration.

Front lid of the gold hunting cased pocket watch displaying an enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar
Front lid of the gold hunting cased pocket watch displaying an enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar — Sotheby's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.sothebys.com
Category
Pocket watch · Hunterd quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
Not established
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
176
Source-reported date
circa 1895
Source-reported place
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
217698

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

External Description

The timepiece is a gold hunting-cased, keyless, quarter-repeating pocket watch. The cover features an enamel portrait miniature of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar.

The outer gold border surrounding the enamel portrait is chased with repetitive foliate motifs. A fluted dark winding crown is situated within a smooth gold suspension bow at the top.

Evidence for this section
  • “the hunting cased gold keyless quarter repeating watch with enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar”
  • “Repetitive chased foliate motifs decorate the gold rim encircling the portrait.”
  • “Fluted dark winding crown set inside a smooth gold suspension bow at the top.”

Movement and Markings

The movement is reported as unsigned. Engravings on the movement include the text 'no. 217698 - Repetition a Quarts, Ancre Ligne Droite Chaton, Spiral Breguet, 32 Rubis, 14K - 217693'.

The inscriptions indicate a 14-karat gold composition, 32 jewels, a straight-line lever escapement with chatons, and a Breguet balance spring. The source records two distinct numbers: 217698 and 217693.

Evidence for this section
  • “Unsigned”
  • “engraved: 'no. 217698 - Repetition a Quarts, Ancre Ligne Droite Chaton, Spiral Breguet, 32 Rubis, 14K - 217693'”

Condition and Observations

The watch is noted as non-functional, with a jammed, broken mechanism that does not wind or repeat. It is missing the glass to the interior.

The enamel portrait shows evidence of restoration, specifically re-varnishing, particularly on the jacket of the depicted figure. The dial and cuvette interior are not visible in the provided photographic source.

Evidence for this section
  • “missing glass to interior, movement jamming, broken mechanism, not winding or repeating”
  • “some restoration to enamel (particularly on jacket) with re-varnishing”

Open research questions

  • What is the significance of the conflicting serial numbers 217698 and 217693?
  • What is the condition of the dial and cuvette interior not captured in the photographic documentation?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss Gold and Enamel Hunting Cased Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch with Portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case decorationEnamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar“hunting cased gold keyless quarter repeating watch with enamel portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar”
Movement engravingRepetition a Quarts, Ancre Ligne Droite Chaton, Spiral Breguet, 32 Rubis, 14K“engraved: 'no. 217698 - Repetition a Quarts, Ancre Ligne Droite Chaton, Spiral Breguet, 32 Rubis, 14K - 217693'”
Attributed origin and dateSwitzerland, circa 1895“Switzerland, circa 1895”
Attributed Origin and DateSwitzerland, circa 1895“Switzerland, circa 1895”

Visible details

  • Circular enamel portrait miniature depicting Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar in military uniform with epaulettes, frogging, a sash, and a plumed black cap.
  • Repetitive chased foliate motifs decorate the gold rim encircling the portrait.
  • Fluted dark winding crown set inside a smooth gold suspension bow at the top.

Research qualifications

  • The dial, cuvette interior, and movement are not shown in the provided photograph.
  • The source notes discrepancies in the engraved numbers ('no. 217698' versus '217693').
  • Source notes the watch is unsigned, missing its interior glass, with broken mechanism not winding or repeating, and restoration with re-varnishing to the enamel.

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

Consulted source

(#176) A gold pocket watch with enamelled portrait of Muzaffar al-Din Shah Qajar, Switzerland, circa 1895

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record 0f316a68cd

Terms in this record

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