Swiss full hunter minute repeating chronograph Circa 1890

Gold minute repeating chronograph by Henry Sandoz
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A fine Swiss minute repeating hunting cased pocket watch with chronograph, circa 1890.
18-carat gold, engine-turned, à goutte case, numbered and signed gold dome, pusher for chronograph at “12”, slide for repeating mechanism, glazed movement. Signed enamel dial with radial Roman hours, auxiliary seconds, blued Breguet hands. Rhodium-plated 1/2 plate movement with “Geneva striping” decoration, chased and gilt coat of arms of the Sandoz family with the motto: “Sine Dolo” (“Without Cunning”), polished chronograph steel parts, ratchet wheel, two hammers / two gongs, chatoned center wheel, screw compensation balance, “Hy. Sandoz Patent Regulator” and counterpoised lever.
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Diameter: 55 mm
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Weight: 155 g
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Signed: Henry Sandoz, Le Locle
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Henri-Frédéric Sandoz, Swiss watchmaker
Henri-Frédéric Sandoz was born on March 5, 1851 in Le Locle, the son of Frédéric Auguste Sandoz, (1824-1888) and Séraphine Robert-Tissot (1821-1902). Sandoz, whose father was already a watchmaker, completed an apprenticeship with a case maker. In 1870 he founded the company ” Henri Sandoz & Fils ” in Le Locle. Sandoz concentrated on machine watch production and expanded this to include repeater watches. In 1890 he received a patent for a chronograph. In 1891 he went to Tavannes because the nearby community had favorable terms and conditions. Here he founded the ” Tavannes Watch Co. ” As early as 1913, this company with around 1,000 workers was producing 2,500 watches a day. Gustav and Albert Stolz were among his students.

Henri-Frédéric married cousin Rachelle Estelle Sandoz (1851-1932) on August 14, 1876. Rachelle Estelle Sandoz was a daughter of Zélime Sandoz, brother of Frédéric Auguste Sandoz . From this marriage 5 children were born. Nelly Sandoz (1876-1958), Henri Auguste Sandoz (1878-1936), Charles Sandoz (1879-1962), Julie Sandoz (1882-1964) and Rose Sandoz (1886-1962). Henri Auguste became his father’s successor in the company. Charles Sandoz was the owner of the company Ch. Sandoz-Moritz & Co , he was married to Henriette Moritz.

Henri-Frédéric Sandoz died on March 18, 1913 in Tavannes, 62 years old.