Geneva, ca. 1820
Bordier à Genève, active in 19th century
Movement with verge escapement and quarter repeater with ding-dong chimes; hour and minute hands
Inv. 1982.1093.
This watch in a red gold case has a glass window in the lid showing the movement with complications, including a quarter repeater with ding-dong chimes. The time signal could be acoustically repeated if desired. At the push of a button, the watch plays chimes for every hour and every quarter hour. If the time is 11.45, for example, it plays eleven chimes for the hour followed by three chimes at a different pitch for the quarters. This invention of the 18th century proved immensely popular in the 19th century.
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