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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeater openface pocket watch with chatelaine

Swiss, signed Breguet, yellow gold, pearls, diamond-set and enamel quarter repeater verge openface pocket watch with chatelaine and key

Partially verified

This antique Swiss openface pocket watch, catalogued as signed Breguet and dating to circa the 1800s, is accompanied by a matching chatelaine and key. The 53 mm yellow gold case features seed pearl ornamentation along the bezel and decorative blue enamel elements. Its white enamel dial displays Roman numeral hour markers, Arabic five-minute divisions, and an off-center winding aperture. The key-wound movement incorporates a quarter repeater function. The matching chatelaine integrates pierced gold chains, blue enamel plaques with painted motifs, seed pearl accents, and suspended accessories including a watch key.

Front view of the openface pocket watch alongside its matching gold, enamel, and pearl-set chatelaine and key
Front view of the openface pocket watch alongside its matching gold, enamel, and pearl-set chatelaine and key — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeater openface pocket watch with chatelaine
Maker / attribution
Signed Breguet
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
2306
Source-reported date
circa 1800s
Country
Switzerland

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 Ornamentation

The timepiece features a 53 mm yellow gold, pearl, and enamel openface case. The bezel is bordered with closely set small seed pearls.

The accompanying chatelaine consists of openwork gold links, royal blue enamel plaques, a central figural miniature, and a matching key.

Evidence for this section
  • “CASE DIAMETER: 53 mm.”
  • “CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold, pearls, diamond-set and enamel”
  • “Bezel bordered with closely set small seed pearls.”
  • “Matching chatelaine suspended with openwork gold links, royal blue enamel plaques, a central figural miniature, and a matching key.”

Dial Configuration

The enamel dial is inscribed 'Breguet' and 'A PARIS'. It features Roman numerals and outer Arabic five-minute markers.

Condition reports describe the dial as very good for its age with some imperfections near the hands.

Evidence for this section
  • “DIAL: Enamel”
  • “White enamel dial inscribed 'Breguet' and 'A PARIS' with Roman numerals and outer Arabic five-minute markers.”
  • “Dial: Very good for its age with some imperfections near the hands.”

Movement and Functionality

The watch is a key-wound quarter repeater. At the time of cataloguing, the movement was ticking and functions were reported to be working, though a service is recommended.

The repeating mechanism is noted as inaccurate, specifically chiming fast. No guarantee is provided for future functionality.

Evidence for this section
  • “MOVEMENT: Key-wound”
  • “FUNCTIONS: Quarter repeater”
  • “Movement: The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing and all functions are working; however, a service is recommended.”
  • “The repeating mechanism is not accurate and chimes fast.”
  • “Christie’s does not guarantee the future working of the movement.”

Open research questions

  • What are the specific hallmarks on the case that denote Swiss origin?
  • Does the movement contain serial identifiers or specific Breguet-attributed construction details?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Swiss, signed Breguet, yellow gold, pearls, diamond-set and enamel quarter repeater verge openface pocket watch with chatelaine and key
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case MaterialYellow gold, pearls, diamond-set and enamel“CASE MATERIAL: Yellow gold, pearls, diamond-set and enamel”
Case Diameter53 mm“CASE DIAMETER: 53 mm.”
DialEnamel“DIAL: Enamel”
MovementKey-wound“MOVEMENT: Key-wound”
FunctionsQuarter repeater“FUNCTIONS: Quarter repeater”
Circa1800s“CIRCA: 1800s”
Circa Date1800s“CIRCA: 1800s”

Visible details

  • White enamel dial inscribed 'Breguet' and 'A PARIS' with Roman numerals and outer Arabic five-minute markers.
  • Bezel bordered with closely set small seed pearls.
  • Matching chatelaine suspended with openwork gold links, royal blue enamel plaques, a central figural miniature, and a matching key.

Research qualifications

  • Movement interior and case back are not shown in the provided photograph.
  • Listed as signed Breguet, but catalogued with Swiss origin rather than verified Paris manufacture.

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

Consulted source

SWISS, SIGNED BREGUET, YELLOW GOLD, PEARLS, DIAMOND-SET AND ENAMEL QUARTER REPEATER VERGE OPENFACE POCKET WATCH WITH MATCHING CHATELAINE AND KEY, | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-22 · Record 35907733c2

Terms in this record

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