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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Mechanism

Minute repeater

A repeater sounding hours, quarters and individual minutes.

Explanation

A minute repeater sounds the hours, quarters and minutes on demand. It is a striking mechanism fitted into a watch, not merely a decorative complication. The slide or pusher winds a separate striking spring and starts a sequence of racks, snails, hammers and gongs. Ordinary timekeeping and repeating work must therefore be documented separately.

The sound sequence is evidence but not a full diagnosis. A weak strike, missing quarter, dragging slide or uneven tempo can come from spring, rack, governor, hammer, gong or lubrication faults. Movement photographs may show beautiful hammers and gongs, but unless they are the exact watch they only explain construction type. Service should be done by a specialist familiar with repeaters.

Sources & references

  1. Daniels, G., Watchmaking — repeating work
  2. de Carle, D., Practical Watch Repairing — repeaters

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.

What to record

  • Record whether the watch repeats hours, quarters and minutes correctly.
  • Photograph slide, hammers and gongs only when safely opened.
  • Distinguish repeater function from case, dial and maker claims.

Do not force a repeater slide or repeat while the mechanism is uncertain; damage can be severe.

In the object catalogue

Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Minute repeater”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.