Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 536

L'Epine, Swiss, circa 1810.Very fine and very rare silver and gold early minute-repeating watch with visible repeating work set on the back plate.

C. Four-body, "Empire", polished, gold hinges, reeded band, gilt cuvette. D. Silver, radial Roman hour chapter on brushed ring, engine-turned center and border, secured by a single screw at 12 o'clock in the style of Breguet. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 51 mm. (22 1/2'''), gilt brass full plate, cylindrical pillars, going barrel, cylinder escapement, three-arm brass balance with flat balance spring, escapement and balance jeweled with endstones, parechute on the top pivot, repetition with fuse-chain activation set on the back plate with all-or-nothing mechanism, surprise-piece lever acting continuously for about 5 minutes every quarter, repeating on three rectangular gongs by depressing the pull-and-twist piston in the pendant. Signed on the cuvette. Diam. 45 mm.