A very early example of a French repeater, in a beautiful silver case.

MOVEMENT : Wonderful gilt and silver verge repeating movement, fully signed “ISIDOR ET GUILLIAME CHAMPION, PARIS’. Beautifully engraved and pierced balance cock and plates. Excellent condition throughout, the only faults being the top of one pillar which is missing and the silver ornamental pediment of one pillar is also missing. The watch and repeating functions are both working correctly, and the repeat has a clear and very loud chime. The repeat chimes with a single hammer, with one chime for each hour, a slight gap, and then one chime for each quarter.

DIAL : 49 mm. The white enamel dial is much later and in poor condition, with repairs around the edge and a large repair around the winding hole. Also slightly too big. Later blued steel hands.

CASE : 59 mm. Beautifully engraved and pierced with foliage, strapwork and animals. The bell is engraved with maker’s mark (see photo) and appears to be original. The silver is in fine condition with just a little wear to the engraving around the edge of the back.
The high dome bull’s eye crystal is fine.

The dial is better than no dial at all but this would be a wonderful watch if the dial was replaced with an early French dial.

Danial Quare inventing the repeating watch in England in 1680. This watch, made around 1700 is a very early French example.