Rare Swiss quarter repeating Oignon-type pocket watch Circa 1710

Silver pocket watch by Andreas Enderlin
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A rare, Basle quarter repeating Oignon-type pocket watch with enamelled portrait, circa 1710.
Full plate movement, florally engraved, one hammer, chain/fusee, three-arms steel ring balance, verge escapement, balance bridge with enamel portrait, 8-day movement, and one horological complication: Quarter-repeater on one bell. Firegilt dial, chased and engraved, enamel cartouches with black radial Roman numerals, separate enamel cartouches with black radial Arabic numerals for the minutes, and blued steel hands. Silver, pierced case, rear bell.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Weight: 162 g
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Signed: Andreas Enderlin, Bâle
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This clock is a classic example of an Oignon: large, uncomplicated in its construction and with an easily legible dial with a beautiful decoration. The back is adorned with a repoussé relief of Venus and Cupid; the edge is openwork in a lattice shape and decorated with volutes and rocailles to underline the beautiful sound of the repetition. The balance bridge shows a polychrome enamel portrait of a noble lady playing the lute. The beautiful movement has a running time of 8 days.
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Andreas Enderlin (1681-1733) came from an important family of watchmakers in Basel who were involved in constructing large and small clocks. Descendants mainly worked in Strasbourg. Some of the Enderlin family’s watches are in the historical museum in Basel.