French 14 carat gold interesting pocket watch Circa 1855

Pocket watch with hours and quarters repeater
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A technically highly interesting pocket watch with repeater, made by Jean-Charles & Charles-Raymond Oudin on 52 Palais Royal in Paris, France, circa 1855. This watch features a later made 14 carat gold case and the skeletonised dial features an outer minute and hour track with Roman hour numerals and Breguet steel hands. The highly interesting movement is equipped with a double wheel duplex escapement and an hours and quarters repeater.
The dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Weight: 46 g
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Signed: Ch. Oudin
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Oudin
In 1801, Charles Oudin left Breguet to establish his own independent manufacture in Paris. Because of their close relationship and the master’s respect for his work, Oudin was one of the very few apprentices permitted to sign his timepieces with the prestigious “Élève de Breguet” (Pupil of Breguet) mark.

Following the demise of Charles Oudin in 1840, his business underwent a series of transformations, including family succession, international expansion under new ownership, closure in the mid 20^th century and a modern revival as a luxury brand.

Four years before his death, on June 30, 1836, Charles Oudin officially handed operations over to his sons, Jean-Charles and Charles-Raymond Oudin.

Under his sons’ management, the company operated from its famous workshop at Palais Royal No. 52. They successfully retained the brand’s elite reputation, continuing to supply highly complex pocket watches and marine chronometers to European courts and luxury clients, including Napoleon III. They continued to capitalise heavily on their father’s name and prestigious address by signing their watches “Charles Oudin / Palais Royal, 52”.