Gold 14K pocket watch with repeater Reyem Frères Locle. Switzerland, circa 1900

Exceptional collectible gold watches with a quarter repeater of the highest level of complexity, produced at the turn of the 19th–20th centuries by the renowned Swiss company Reyem Frères Locle for the Russian market. The timepiece is presented in its original leather case featuring the logo of the Russian distributor – Trading House Brothers Markov, complete with a magnificent gold chain of complex corsage-type weaving.The three-part case is made of 56 zolotnik gold (equivalent to 14K) and is adorned with an elaborate guilloché pattern covering its entire surface, highlighting the level of artistic craftsmanship.The watch is equipped with a complex hand-wound mechanical movement, including:Quarter Repeater – a chiming mechanism that strikes the hours and quarter-hours.Chronograph – a precision instrument for measuring time intervals.Triple Calendar – a rare complication that displays the day of the week, date, and month in Cyrillic, emphasizing its design for the Russian clientele.Moon Phases – an astronomical cycle indicator.Dial:Decorated with luxurious white enamel.Roman numerals for the hour markers.Arabic numerals for the seconds.Slim gold hands.Hallmarks and Inscriptions:Watch:Swiss hallmark Squirrel for 585 gold.Russian gold purity mark 56 zolotniks.Gold purity designation 14K.Serial number: 364557.Engravings: REPETITION A QUARTS, Chronographe Remontoir Quantième phases de Lune, Reyem Frères Locle.Chain:Jeweler’s master mark, initials AA in Cyrillic.Russian gold purity mark 56 zolotniks.Hallmark: a girl in a kokoshnik, turned left, with the initials of district assayer Ivan Sergeyevich Lebedkin, corresponding to the Moscow Assay Office (1899–1908).Dimensions and Weight:Watch:Diameter: 60.4 mmHeight: 20.3 mmWeight: 164 g. Chain:Length: 150 cmWeight: 54.58 g.Total Weight: 218.58 g.The mechanism has been serviced, and the watch is in excellent collectible condition.

Historical Reference

The Reyem Frères Locle watch manufacture was founded in the famous Swiss watchmaking region of La Chaux-de-Fonds, renowned for its contributions to horological craftsmanship. Specializing in the creation of intricate and refined timepieces, Reyem Frères gained a reputation for producing watches of the highest quality.Watches designed for the Russian market were distinguished by the use of Cyrillic inscriptions on the calendar, demonstrating a deep understanding of local preferences. Thanks to advanced mechanisms such as repeaters, chronographs, and moon phase indicators, Reyem Frères` timepieces were especially sought after by Russian aristocracy and the affluent elite.The Trading House Brothers Markov, founded by Pavel and Fyodor Markov, was located at Ilyinka 15 and was one of the leading jewelry firms of its time. Its assortment included diamond jewelry, gold and silver items, icons, watches, tableware, and dinner sets. In addition to the main store, the Markov family’s enterprises also operated on Nikolskaya Street and in Cherkassky Lane. The firm’s products were renowned for their impeccable quality and craftsmanship.