German 14 carat gold lever pocket chronometer Circa 1889

Very fine half hunter cased watch
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A very fine 1^st quality pocket chronometer, made by the Gebrüder Eppner in Berlin, Germany, circa 1889. The numbered and unusual half hunter case of this watch was crafted from 14 carat gold and has a monogram on the back lid. The white enamel dial features an outer minute track with red Arabic 5 minute numerals, black Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock and the original steel hands. The numbered movement is fitted with a 1^st quality Eppner anker chronometer escapement and a chronometer balance.
The case and movement have matching numbers and the cuvette and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 52 mm
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Weight: 108 g
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Signed: Gebr. Eppner, Berlin
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Eppner
The history of Gebrüder Eppner is tied to a family of German watchmakers who bridged the gap between traditional Swiss craftsmanship and the industrialisation of the German watch industry. The family’s expertise began with the eldest brother, Carl Wilhelm Eppner (born 1804), who trained in Merseburg and later moved to La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, in 1821.

He became a master horologist, specialising in precision parts like ruby cylinders and anchor escapements. Between 1828 and 1830, he trained his younger brothers, Eduard (1812–1887) and Albert, in Switzerland, establishing a strong foundation in high end Swiss techniques.

Following success at the 1844 German Industrial Exhibition, Albert Eppner founded the Berlin branch, Gebrüder Eppner, in 1845.