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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch

Triple Case Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch by James Chambon

Partially verified

This English pocket watch by James Chambon of London is a quarter-repeater housed within a triple-cased configuration. The internal watch movement is a full-plate, fire-gilt construction featuring fusee and chain transmission, baluster pillars, and a verge escapement. It is signed and includes a silver dust cover with a blue steel S-shaped lock. The repeater mechanism is activated by pressing the pendant, utilizing two steel hammers that strike a bell housed inside the case. The white enamel dial displays both Roman and Arabic numerals, equipped with beetle and serpentine poker-style blued steel hands. The housing comprises an inner gold case, a second case featuring repoussé decoration with four half-length figures, and a protective third outer case made of gilt metal covered in black leather. It measures 56mm in diameter and 20mm in depth.

Front view of the triple-cased watch showing the white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals and beetle/serpentine poker hands.
Front view of the triple-cased watch showing the white enamel dial with Roman and Arabic numerals and beetle/serpentine poker hands. — Pieces of Time. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
zamanito.com
Category
Pocket watch · Quarter repeating pocket watch
Maker / attribution
James Chambon
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
A11132
Source-reported date
circa 1699, 1704, or 1713
Source-reported place
England
Source-reported serial
A11132

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 Decoration

The internal assembly consists of an inner gold case and a second gold case, both of which are reported to be 22-carat gold, although they are not solid. The exterior of the second case is heavily decorated with repoussé work, incorporating elaborate scrollwork, bird motifs, and ornamental masks. Four half-length figures are integrated into the repoussé design around the perimeter.

A third outer case provides a final layer of protection, constructed from gilt metal and finished with a black leather covering. This outer shell includes a small central aperture for accessing the movement's regulation disc without removing the watch from its casing. The overall dimensions of this assembly are 56mm in diameter and 20mm in depth.

Evidence for this section
  • “قاب درونی با نقوش پرندگان، شاخ‌وبرگ و ماسک تزئینی مشبک و قلم‌زنی شده و قاب دوم حاشیه رپوسه و چهار نیم‌تنه دارد.”
  • “ساختار شامل یک جفت قاب طلای ۲۲ عیار و محافظ سوم فلز طلاکاری‌شده با پوشش چرم مشکی”

Movement and Repeater Mechanism

The watch is powered by a full-plate movement finished with fire-gilding. The power is transmitted via a traditional fusee and chain arrangement, supported by baluster-shaped pillars. The timekeeping is controlled by a verge escapement, featuring a simple three-arm steel balance and a blued steel spiral hairspring. Access to the movement is protected by a signed silver dust cover, which is secured by a blued steel S-shaped lock.

The quarter-repeating mechanism is operated via the pendant. When the pendant is depressed, two steel hammers strike a bell positioned inside the case to audibly signal the time. The movement also includes an externally visible regulation disc, allowing for manual adjustment of the watch's rate.

Evidence for this section
  • “تکرارکننده با فشار پندنت و دو چکش روی زنگ داخل قاب توصیف می‌شود.”
  • “موتور تمام‌پلیت آتش‌زراندود با ستون‌های بالستری، فیوزی و زنجیر و درپوش غبارگیر نقره‌ای امضادار معرفی شده است.”

Dial and Attribution

The dial is crafted from white enamel and features a dual-register system, displaying hours with Roman numerals and minutes with Arabic numerals. The display is completed by a pair of blued steel hands, styled in the characteristic 'beetle and serpentine poker' configuration. This design was common during the early eighteenth century, to which period this object is attributed.

The watch is signed 'James Chambon London', though specific historical records regarding this maker or the case-maker (marked 'PR') have not been located by the source. Because the hallmark date letters are not clearly legible, the dating of 1713 mentioned in some contexts is considered speculative by the source, which notes that 1699 or 1704 are also possibilities. The object serves as an example of early English repeating timekeepers.

Evidence for this section
  • “حروف تاریخ هال‌مارک در هر دو قاب خوانا نیستند و علاوه بر ۱۷۱۳، سال‌های ۱۶۹۹ یا ۱۷۰۴ نیز ممکن‌اند.”

Open research questions

  • What is the definitive identification of the 'PR' maker's mark found on the gold cases?
  • Can high-resolution imaging of the hallmarks reveal the precise year of assay to confirm the date between 1699, 1704, and 1713?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Triple Case Quarter Repeating Pocket Watch by James Chambon
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
MakerJames Chambon London“James Chambon London”
Case typeTriple case (gold inner and second cases, leather-covered outer case)“شامل یک جفت قاب طلای ۲۲ عیار و محافظ سوم فلز طلاکاری‌شده با پوشش چرم مشکی”
Movement typeFire-gilt full-plate with fusee and chain“موتور تمام‌پلیت آتش‌زراندود با ستون‌های بالستری، فیوزی و زنجیر”
Hallmark dateUncertain, likely 1699, 1704, or 1713“حروف تاریخ هال‌مارک در هر دو قاب خوانا نیستند و علاوه بر ۱۷۱۳، سال‌های ۱۶۹۹ یا ۱۷۰۴ نیز ممکن‌اند”
MechanismQuarter-repeating with two hammers“تکرارکننده با فشار پندنت و دو چکش روی زنگ داخل قاب توصیف می‌شود”
Dimensions56mm diameter, 20mm depth“قطر ۵۶ و عمق ۲۰ میلی‌متر در مشخصات منبع آمده‌اند”
Dealer referenceA11132“شناسه موجودی A11132”

Visible details

  • The outer leather-covered case features a central gilt disc for regulation adjustment.
  • The second case exhibits extensive scrollwork, bird motifs, and repoussé figures.
  • The dial includes an outer ring of Arabic numerals for minutes and an inner ring of Roman numerals for hours.
  • The pendant features a textured, rope-pattern loop.

Research qualifications

  • The exact date of manufacture remains uncertain due to unclear hallmark date letters, with the source suggesting 1699, 1704, or 1713.
  • The provenance and service history of the movement, along with the potential presence of replaced components, are not documented in the provided information.

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

Consulted source

Early Triple Cased Gold Quarter Repeater

Reviewed 2026-11-02 · Record 0db8df1391

Terms in this record

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

Other quarter repeating pocket watch records