Swiss 18K rose gold minute repeating chronometer Circa 1880

Rose gold repeating chronometer by H.R. Ekegrén
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A very fine and heavy Swiss 18 carat rose gold open faced minute repeating lever chronometer, circa 1880. Bridge movement, a rose gold train, two hammers, two gongs, a club tooth lever escapement, gold screw compensation balance and a safety device on the centre pinion protecting the movement from damage in the event of a broken spring. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and gold spade & whip hands. The plain case with an engraved monogram on the back. Dial and movement signed, case numbered. Comes with the original mahogany box.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Weight: 160 g
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Signed: H.R. Ekegrén Genève
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This timepiece has a minute repeater formerly awarded with the Bulletin de 1re Classe de l’Observatoire de Genève.
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Henry Robert Ekegrén (1823-1869) was born in Denmark. He completed his apprenticeship in the workshop of Urban Jürgensen & Sonnen, Copenhagen. A season he worked for Jules Jürgensen in Le Locle, then went on to work in London and Paris. In 1847, for a year he worked for Henri Golay in Geneva, then for ten years for its successor company Golay-Leresche. He also worked for Winnerl and Adolphe Lange before establishing his own company with Ferdinand Westermann in Geneva. The Geneva Observatory always gave H.R. Ekegrén a high rating for its pocket chronometers, as did other contests. He was one of the most awarded Swiss watchmakers. The Journal Suisse d’ Horlogerie noted not only that Ekegrén was a first rate timer, but also that he allowed no one else to direct his business and that he was always seeking to elevate the level of the chronometric art.