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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Pocket watch · St-Imier

Montre de gousset commémorative

Verified

The upper part of the rectangular copper-plated brass case is engraved with the allegories of Prudence and Vigilance, and the lower part with the inscription: VEILLEZ CAR VOUS NE SCAVEZ À QUELLE HEURE DOIT VENIR VOSTRE SEIGNEUR (BE VIGILANT FOR YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR MAKER COMETH).

Technical facts

Inventory number
MIH I-2102
Object type
Pocket watch
Place of production
St-Imier
Dating
1984
Materials and techniques (catalogue wording)
laiton, acier
Dimensions (catalogue)
dimensions min/max: 51 x 60 mm
Inscriptions (catalogue)
Longines Watch Co Swiss 17 jewels unadjusted L 847.4-55171871 (Mouvement); N° 0704 (Boîtier); SAINT IMIER 1100 DE LA CITE DCCCLXXXIIII-MCMLXXXIIII (Boîtier)

Historical significance

  • The upper part of the rectangular copper-plated brass case is engraved with the allegories of Prudence and Vigilance, and the lower part with the inscription: VEILLEZ CAR VOUS NE SCAVEZ À QUELLE HEURE DOIT VENIR VOSTRE SEIGNEUR (BE VIGILANT FOR YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN YOUR MAKER COMETH).
  • The dial is a replica of the one on the clocktower of St-Martin’s church in Saint-Imier, known as Queen Bertha. A single hand, shaped like a human hand, indicates the hours in Roman numerals.
  • The manually-wound movement has a lever escapement.

Photographs

Montre de gousset commémorative (MIH I-2102)
Montre de gousset commémorative (MIH I-2102) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record
Montre de gousset commémorative (MIH I-2102)
Montre de gousset commémorative (MIH I-2102) — Musée international d'horlogerie, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Museum collection photograph, rights review pending. MIH collection record

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. Musée international d'horlogerie, online collection record, inv. I-2102: https://collection.mih.ch/fr/collection/item/38921/

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