








Price
£35000.00This object is eligible for a Certificate of BADA Provenance
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To be exhibited at
The BADA Christmas Gift ListRare Miniature Quarter Repeating Pendant Watch.
Signed: Bonna Freres.
Circa: 1790.
Diameter: 23 x 36 millimetres.
A very rare late 18th Century Swiss quarter repeating cylinder with visible balance in a diamond set gold pendant. Small full plate rectangular movement with canted corners. Almost half of the top plate cut away to accommodate the small bell. Keywound resting barrel, Polished steel cylinder, steel escape wheel.
Decorative balance, the rim set with small diamonds visible through the dial. Four of the five arms of the balance are cut through to all to allow access to the top balance pivot. Slide quarter repeating on a bell. Signed white enamel dial with subsidiary of Roman numerals below the visible balance, blue steel Breguet hands.
Small gold rectangular case with canted corners pierced and engraved to allow the bell to sound. Gold and enamel front bezel set with diamonds, gold bow set with small diamonds. Small steel lever at five o’clock for the repeat, sprung dust shutter to the slot.
In a small fitted oval brown morocco gilt decorated presentation case signed for the retailer Russells. Lined with cream velvet the gold key is accessed by lifting the cushion.
A remarkable piece of Swiss watchmaking in excellent overall condition. It may have been inspired by the repeating ring watch made for King George III a few years earlier. Making such a small repeating movement where the bell occupies much of the space would have been a considerable challenge at the end of the 18th Century.
The inclusion of the "mystery" top balance pivot made the task more difficult but accentuates the diamonds mounted on the balance catch the eye as it vibrates. Bonna Freres, Geneva 1770 - 1800.
Stock number
A1009The BADA Standard
- Since 1918, BADA has been the leading association for the antiques and fine art trade
- Members are elected for their knowledge, integrity and quality of stock
- Our clients are protected by BADA’s code of conduct
- Our dealers’ membership is reviewed and renewed annually
- Bada.org is a non-profit site: clients deal directly with members and they pay no hidden fees