Swiss gold quarter repeating chronograph watch Circa 1900

Gold hunting cased keyless lever watch
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A fine Swiss 18 carat yellow gold hunting cased keyless lever pocket watch with chronograph and quarter repeater made by Invicta, circa 1900. It has a mechanical crown winding movement with a lever escapement. The quarter repeating chime mechanism strikes the hours and quarters. The chronograph function is activated via a monopusher at 2 o’clock. The watch is signed Invicta. The white enamel dial features black Arabic numerals for the hours, an outer minute track with fifth of a second subdivisions, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock, a large blued steel central chronograph seconds hand, and gold Louis XV style hands.
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The timepiece is housed in a round triple body, 18 carat solid yellow gold full hunter case with a plain polished spring hinged front cover. The matching reverse back cover opens to reveal an inner mineral glass exhibition window showcasing the intricate repeating and chronograph mechanism. It also has a fluted winding crown and a sturdy round suspension bow. The movement is running but requires a professional overhaul.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Weight: 157 g
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Signed: Invicta
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The Invicta brand, founded by Raphael Picard in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, became highly renowned at the turn of the 20th century for its expertise in high grade complication watches. The firm specialized in creating complex timepieces that integrated chronographs and chiming mechanisms, such as quarter and minute repeaters. This model features a distinctive triple case construction. It uses an inner glass dust cover (exhibition back) beneath the solid gold outer lid. This allows the collector to safely observe the complex hammer strikes and chronograph wheels in motion without exposing the delicate mechanical parts to dust.