Swiss gold enamel quarter repeating pocket watch Circa 1980

Decorative hunting cased pocket watch by Comor Watch
–
A decorative Swiss 18K gold and enamel hunting cased quarter repeating lever pocket watch, circa 1980.
The case opaque polychrome enamelled on both sides, the front with sailing ships and boats, the back with a cityscape, presumably of Ghent in Belgium, depicting the two towers of The Rabot monument, the old city wall and Saint Bavo Cathedral, the enamel painting on the back monogrammed J.K., pusher for repetition at 6 o’clock. Gold dome. Frosted gilt dial with small translucent red enamel central time indication, Arabic hours and outer minute dots, auxiliary seconds also engine-turned red enamel, to the left and right screwed-on polychrome enamel figures of two sailors striking the bell, Breguet hands. Divided frosted gilt 3/4 plate movement, two hammers, two gongs, engraved Brevet, governor for repetition, monometallic screw compensation balance. Dial signed.
–
Diameter: 53 mm
–
Weight: 156 g
–
Signed: Comor Watch La Chaux-de-Fonds Swiss
–
The already existing Swiss company Comor Watch was first registered in 1925. It was purchased by Dr Adolf L. Benz in 1970. Dr Benz registered the name Comor in Switzerland on 29 October 1970 and registered the name in the US Patent and Trademark Gazette which was published on October 4, 1971. Dr Benz had been trained in horology at the Watchmakers of Switzerland and held a Doctorate in Economics from the University of Bern. He began his watch career by exporting watches in the 1960s and acquired Comor to make quality watches. He also assembled a cadre of skilled technicians with talents in watchmaking, watch design, and artistic embellishment. Comor watches were intended to be attractive and useful and, at the same time, to be admired as works of art. These objectives lead to a several-year collaboration between Dr Benz’ Comor and Tiffany & Co. The designs were easy on the eye, easy to read and use, some including several complications. Design under Dr Benz took place mostly in the 1970s and 1980s. Some pieces had enamelled miniatures painted and applied in the Benz works. Comor did not produce in-house movements but used ETA calibres. Dr Benz passed away in 1992. In 1994 the Comor company was sold to Schweitzer-Uhren of Hamburg. The company was bought by Mme Cinette Robert-Nicoud in 2009. Mme Robert-Nicoud is now associated with the Dubey and Schaldenbrand watch company. The current Dubey website does not mention Comor.