Swiss minute repeating lever watch in a gold case Circa 1894

Small gold minute repeater
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A fine Swiss minute repeating lever in a gold open faced case, circa 1894. High-quality keyless nickelled bar movement manufactured by Meylan, going barrel. Plain cock with polished steel micrometer regulator. Compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. Club foot lever escapement, escape and lever pivots with endstones. Slide minute repeating on two polished steel gongs. Signed white enamel dial with subsidiary seconds, Roman and Arabic numerals and blue steel hands. Unusual plain 18-carat open face case converted to be used as a wristwatch by adding a second pendant and false crown at six o’clock, probably early in its life. Applied wire work monogram to the back cover, slide close the pendant which stops the hands from being set. Engraved dedication on the gold cuvette, ‘Mary D Biddle from her children SFBB – LMBR – HJB – CWB Christmas 1894’.
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Diameter: 34 mm
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Signed: Bailey Banks and Biddle Philadelphia Superior Adjustment
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A high-quality Swiss minute repeater retailed in the USA which appears to have been given as a Christmas present to a member of the family. If desired it could easily have strap fitted for use as a wristwatch.