Danish 18K gold quarter repeating cylinder watch Circa 1820

Gold open faced quarter repeater by Fredrik Jürgensen
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A Danish gold open faced quarter repeating cylinder watch, circa 1820. The watch features a gilded full plate movement, signed Fredrik Jürgensen Kiöbenhavn, with a cylinder escapement. The backplate has an aperture revealing the escape wheel, a plain three arm balance, a fusee and chain, and two polished hammers repeating on coiled gongs. The white enamel dial, signed Fredrik Jürgensen, displays Arabic numerals, an outer minute ring, and blued steel hands. It is housed in a gold case with a plain back, a polished bezel, a milled band, and a pendant locking slide positioned between 1 and 2 o’clock, while the gilt metal cuvette is signed Fredrik Jürgensen.
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Diameter: 56.5 mm
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Weight: 136 g
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Signed: Fredrik Jürgensen Kiöbenhavn
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The movement is running and functions well with a strong, audible tone. The pendant locking slide to the band is not currently operational. There are a few scratches on the dial below 12 o’clock; otherwise, it is in good condition. The engine turning on the case back is very worn and is now only faintly visible. There is wear at the seam of the case back where it joins the bezel. A crack is at the edge of the hinge on the case back. One screw is missing from the inner steel bracket that supports the pendant. The case is stamped 18k.
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Fredrik Jürgensen was born on 19 August 1787, the second youngest son of Jürgen Jürgensen. In 1801, Fredrik became an apprentice in his father’s workshop under the guidance of his elder brother Urban. In April 1809, Fredrik travelled to Geneva. Following his father’s death, Fredrik was recalled to Copenhagen, where he took over the management of the family business. A Royal Decree of 15 May 1811 appointed Fredrik as the Court Horologist, succeeding his father’s position. Initially, Fredrik continued to sign the company’s watches as Larpent & Jürgensen before the firm was renamed Fredrik Jürgensen in 1811. Fredrik died in 1843.