Swiss gold quarter repeating special lever watch Circa 1830

Gold pocket watch with special escapement by Pere Bouhelier
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An excellent and rare Swiss quarter repeating 18 carat gold pocket watch with special escapement, circa 1830. This watch features a gilt movement with 12 jewels and a standing barrel. It boasts a gold wheel train, a specially polished steel lateral lever escapement, and an elongated lever arm. The fork engages a locking pin on the balance pivot, complemented by a bimetallic compensation balance and a blued steel flat balance spring. The index regulator enhances precision, while the repeating mechanism utilises two massive polished steel hammers striking two gongs, activated by a pull and twist button in the pendant. The polished steel repeating work is positioned beneath the dial.
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The case is engine turned, with cast and chased floral and scroll borders, a decorative pendant and bow, and a rope twist band. A hinged gold engine turned cuvette adds to its sophistication. The white enamel dial displays radial Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, and a centre adorned with acid etched foliate scrolls. Gold arrow hands complete the design, and the cuvette is signed.
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Diameter: 58 mm
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Signed: Pere Bouhelier, Swiss
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This excellent and interesting watch is made to the highest standards. The escapement is a lateral lever with an elongated fork, and the escape wheel has teeth at only a slight angle. The balance has blued steel applied to its upper surface.
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The movement runs and repeats. Dial in good condition. The case has some wear and slight scuffs but is in good overall condition.
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Père Bouhelier, whose full name was François Joseph Bouhelier, was born in the small village of Saint Julien near Charquemont in the Franche-Comté region, where the name Bouhelier was quite common. The area was primarily inhabited by farmers, who manufactured cylinder escapements for French and Swiss watchmakers during the winter months.
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All of the few known clocks made by Père Bouhelier are equipped with the same calibre and feature a linear lever escapement. The design of this calibre is both unusual and straightforward, making it difficult to determine whether it was outdated or ahead of its time. Père Bouhelier was a priest who had to leave his homeland during the French Revolution and settled in England. It is likely that he taught himself the craft of making lever escapements during his time in exile.