Early Repeater

[testguy]

It was suggested that I ask about this watch on the complicated watch forum.

I acquired this watch yesterday, and am interested in learning more about it.
Thanks,
Brian

 

[dshumans]

It an early (1790-1810 maybe) verge fusee quarter repeater. The case should be tested for solid gold. Likely French or Swiss. Better pictures and notes would help. The repeater runs by pressing down on the crown until it stops and then let go. Do not try to turn the little brass square with the pointer next to the balance. It is the timing peg for the repeater train and turning it too far can break the pivot in the offset pinion hole.

 

[gmorse]

Hi Brian,

I'm afraid your pictures are only thumbnails and too small to see very clearly, but they do show an elegant, end of the 18th / early 19th century watch, made when A-L Breguet was very active and showing some influences of his style, (but sadly not by him!).

Regards,

Graham

 

[testguy]

Any idea what this part is for (in the center of the band). Thanks, Brian

 

[gmorse]

Hi Brian,

Is the repeater started by pressing in the pendant, as Doug has described?

Regards,

Graham

 

[testguy]

Hi Brian,

Is the repeater started by pressing in the pendant, as Doug has described?

Regards,

Graham

yes

 

[gmorse]

Hi Brian,

In that case, I wonder if that small slide is a lock for the plunger, although I don't see why that should be necessary. It seems to be in the wrong place for a pulse piece (or silent strike). Perhaps Doug can suggest something.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Tom McIntyre]

The original pictures posted for this watch are a bit better, but could still be much larger. Pictures should generally be at least 1600 pixels and for watches it is better to make them square in almost all cases.

Early Repeater

 

[testguy]

Here are some larger size pictures of the watch.

 

[John Cote]

What a treasure.

 

[Bernhard J.]

I wonder if that small slide is a lock for the plunger

Hi Graham,

I am quite sure that this is indeed so. Cylinder repeaters one or two decades later had such locking slides frequently.

Cheers, Bernhard