Swiss 18K gold minute repeating chronograph Circa 1900

Gold hunting cased grand complication watch
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A high complication Swiss 18 carat yellow gold hunting cased pocket watch, circa 1900. This timepiece features a hand wound mechanical movement with a lever escapement, incorporating minute repeating and chronograph functions. The white enamel dial displays black Arabic numerals, a red 24 hour scale, two subsidiary counters for the 30 minute register and small seconds, an outer minute track with Arabic five minute numerals, a large blued steel central chronograph seconds hand, and gilt spade hands for the time. The 18 carat yellow gold full hunter case has a smoothly polished finish and an inner gold dust cover engraved Répétition à minutes Chronographe Compteur. A slide on the caseband activates the minute repeater, while the chronograph operates via a pusher at 2 o’clock. The watch comes with a matching 18 carat gold chain (length 380 mm and weight 17 g).
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Diameter: 57 mm
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Weight: 117 g
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Signed: Chronomètre
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This watch represents a Grand Complication from the peak of Swiss mechanical horology. The minute repeater chimes the hours, quarters, and minutes on internal gongs when the slide on the caseband is activated. Combined with a chronograph and a 30 minute counter, this was one of the most technically advanced portable devices available at the turn of the 20th century, typically reserved for the most affluent clientele.