Economy Magnenant Repeater

[Dave Coatsworth]

Going through some boxes and picked up this cheap looking Swiss pocket watch in a gunmetal case. I looked at the movement only to realize that it was a repeater! Still looks cheap. The only word on the movement besides the jeweling and adjustments is Magnenant, which seems to mean 'magnanimous'. Someone has scratched off whatever name was on the dial.

The repeater is initiated by pulling up on a lever on the side of the case. It feels like the lever is winding up a spring presumably to drive the repeating mechanism. It is a quarter repeater.

What can you all tell me about this one?

 

[roughbarked]

Does this help?

Antique Silver 1/4 Repeater Pocket Watch, Magnenat Lecoultre | 531371 | Sellingantiques.co.uk

Declaration: Antique Silver 1/4 Repeater Pocket Watch, Magnenat Lecoultre has been declared an antique and was approved for sale on sellingantiques.co.uk.

www.sellingantiques.co.uk

There's a description here but sadly the image appears not to be.

Michel Magnenat, Genève, circa 1860. Hsien Feng. | Important Watches and Wristwatches | Hong Kong, Hotel Furama, 28th May 1989

Antiquorum is the world's premiere auction house of modern and vintage timepieces. Buy or sell watches like Patek Philippe, Rolex and Audemars Piguet. Expert appraisals, valuations and more. Browse our auction catalog.

catalog.antiquorum.swiss

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

Thanks! Perhaps the 'Magnenat' refers to the patent or type of repeater as the movements do not look the same. I've noticed that the case inside back also has this marking.

 

[mosesgodfrey]

Curious! Where is the hammer? I think I know—but so interesting it is invisible (vs the linked auction with patent stamp where it is exposed). Is there a serial number?


More info & thoughts, in case not known:

The original patent ch31328 was filed 16 Aug 1904, granted 15 Feb 1905. An addition/amendment to the patent (31328/543) was filed 12 Apr 1905, granted 31 July 1905. Both were stricken off in October 1921. Only the addition image is visible.



The adj/jewel markings on your movement indicate it was imported to the USA after 1909, most likely between 1910-1914. And I think certainly before patent expired in 1921.

IMO, this & the “Magnenat” stamp could mean the watch was signed for Henri-Gabriel Magnenat-Lecoultre (HML) himself between 1908-mid 1910, imported 1910. Or from Gallet after 1911, who would’ve had to license the patent. (Quality more consistent with latter?? But I’ve yet to validate—see below)

The info in the auction roughbarked linked is somewhat correct, although some dates are wrong & the Magnenat-Lecoultre & Cie members are a much more intriguing list.

For now, important to note 4 possibles from FOSC info & mikrolisk:

• Magnenat-Lecoultre & Cie ceased to exist on 31 Jan 1908; HML took the factory back as his own—and had personally been assigned all rights to the stamped patent 3 days before.
• Picard & Cie (Fabrique Germinal) bought half rights to the stamped patent from HML in Sept 1908. They are an unlikely source, since HML worked on his own until…
• Jeanneret-Brehm & Cie, Repeater Speedway Watch, etc. was formed on 1 Jan 1910. HML was a minority partner, owning ~19% of shares. On 8 Feb, HML ceased operation under his name, and his Sentier factory became a branch of the new company. He reassigned his half of the patent to it on 2 May 1910. They never registered his last name as a brand/mark, but according to mikrolisk, he’d always owned it.
• According to mikrolisk, the mark for his last name was bought by Gallet SA in 1911. I’ve not been able to validate from FOSC, but knowing the researcher there I believe it.

 

[gmorse]

Hi Dave,

It feels like the lever is winding up a spring presumably to drive the repeating mechanism.

Yes, that's how the majority of repeaters work; the alternative, to have a separate winding mechanism, (a 'trip repeater'), is much less common. The hammer has to be close to the gong mounting block in order to work at all, so it must be right next to the cock foot. Apparently having only one gong is certainly an economy model.

Regards,

Graham

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

There are 2 gongs. It strikes both for the quarters. The hammers are beneath the balance cock.

Thanks for all the great info guys!

 

[gmorse]

Hi Dave,

Ah, so they're stacked, and presumably so are the hammers. A look under the dial would be interesting.

Regards,

Graham

 

[eric the bully]

This is the "cadrature" under dial
Regards enrico

 

[gmorse]

Hi Enrico,

Thanks, it really is simplified!

Regards,

Graham

 

[Dave Coatsworth]

Under the dial. Hour wheel removed.

 

[gmorse]

Hi Dave,

At least three of the springs in your movement have been replaced by bent wire, which may well be functional, and they do look better than some of the other 'repairs' I've come across in repeaters.

Regards,

Graham