French 18K yellow gold quarter repeating pocket watch Circa 1869

Gold open faced keyless lever watch
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A fine French 18 carat yellow gold open faced quarter repeating pocket watch made by A.H. Rodanet & Cie in Paris, circa 1869. It has a high quality mechanical movement with a Swiss lever escapement and pendant winding, signed A.H. Rodanet & Cie. The white enamel dial features bold black Roman numerals for the hours, a fine outer railway minute track, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, and blued steel Breguet style hands, signed A.H. Rodanet.
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The timepiece is housed in a round, hinged, 18 carat solid yellow gold open faced case. The reverse back cover is decorated with fine engine turned work, centring an intricately engraved floral monogram. The inner protective gold cuvette features the historical engraving: A. Auriol-Roy-Bry février 1869, A. H. Rodanet & Cie Fournisseurs Brevétés de l’Empereur, rue Vivienne 38, Paris. The watch comes with its original fitted period presentation box, lined in purple velvet and silk, signed A.H. Rodanet & Cie, constructeur de chronomètre, rue Vivienne 38 Paris.
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Diameter: 47 mm
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Weight: 89.5 g
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Signed: A.H. Rodanet & Cie
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This exceptional watch boasts direct family provenance, carefully preserved and passed down through generations from the original owner since its purchase in 1869.
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A.H. Rodanet & Cie was an eminent 19th century Parisian watchmaker and high end retailer established by Auguste Hilaire Rodanet (1837–1907). Located at 38 Rue Vivienne in Paris, the firm built a reputation for producing precision marine chronometers, luxury pocket watches, and carriage clocks. Recognized for outstanding craftsmanship, the company served as an official chronometer maker to the French State Navy and held the title of Fournisseurs Brevetés de l’Empereur (Patented Suppliers to the Emperor) under Napoleon III.
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Beyond manufacturing its own elite timepieces using top grade ebauches, the boutique was one of the primary and most exclusive retail representatives for Patek Philippe in France during the late 19th century. Auguste Hilaire Rodanet was a central pillar of the French horological community, writing influential academic treatises on watchmaking, presiding over the École d’Horlogerie de Paris, and being appointed to the French Legion of Honour. Today, timepieces bearing the Rodanet signature remain highly coveted by collectors for their historical lineage and peerless build quality.