Swiss oignon pocket watch with striking mechanism Circa 1720

Pocket watch with an hour and quarter hour repeater
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A very rare Geneva oignon watch with striking mechanism, made by Les Frères Soret in Genève, Switzerland, circa 1720. This timepiece boasts a silver open faced case with sound openings that were later gilded. The dial of the watch is impressive, with white enamel cartouches featuring Roman numerals for the hours and Arabic numerals for the minutes and hands that were added at a later date. The movement of the watch features a bell, verge escapement and an hour and quarter hour repeater, making it a rare and exceptional timepiece. It also has an exceptionally large steel balance and a magnificent balance bridge that covers almost the entire plate.
Movement signed
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 167 g
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Signed: Les Frères Soret
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Les Frères Soret were a group of Swiss watchmakers who were active in Geneva during the early 18th century. Les Frères Soret were influential watchmakers who contributed significantly to the development of the Swiss watchmaking industry. They were active in the early 18^th century, during a time when Swiss watchmaking was undergoing a period of rapid growth and innovation.

One of the most significant contributions of Les Frères Soret was their development of the cylinder escapement, which is a key component of mechanical watches. This invention helped to improve the accuracy and reliability of watches, and it became widely adopted throughout the watchmaking industry.

In addition to their technical innovations, Les Frères Soret were also known for their exquisite craftsmanship and attention to detail. They produced some of the most beautiful and intricate watches of their time and their work helped to establish Swiss watchmaking as a world renowned industry.

They were appointed as official watchmakers to the King of Spain in the 18^th century. They also had clients among the European nobility, including the Duke of Parma and the Grand Duke of Tuscany. Additionally, Les Frères Soret were known for their expertise in creating complicated timepieces, such as astronomical watches, which were highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs of fine horology.