Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
Discover how the value of similar works has evolved over the past 10 years. Art is not only beauty — it's an investment.
An exceptional high-grade collectible pocket watch created at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries by the Swiss manufacture Reyem Frères Locle and expressly intended for the Russian market. This watch represents a rare and highly prestigious combination of multiple grand complications within a single case, exemplifying the highest level of technical and artistic achievement of Swiss watchmaking during the Belle Époque period.
The three-cover case is crafted in 56 zolotnik gold (equivalent to 14K) and entirely decorated with fine engine-turned guilloché, uniformly covering all exterior surfaces. The central reserve of the back cover is left smooth, originally intended for personal engraving. The case is distinguished by its monumental proportions and impeccable finish, characteristic of bespoke watches of the highest rank.
The manually wound movement is an outstanding example of complex horological engineering and incorporates a quarter repeater with a clear and sonorous chime, a chronograph, a triple calendar indicating day of the week, date and month in Cyrillic, as well as a moon phase display. Such a configuration belongs to the highest category of collectible watches and is extremely rare in fully preserved original condition.
The enamel dial follows the classical aesthetics of the late 19th century, featuring white enamel, Roman numerals for hours, an Arabic seconds scale, subsidiary chronograph counters and calendar apertures with Cyrillic inscriptions. Elegant gold hands complete the composition, ensuring excellent legibility and visual balance.
The watch is preserved in its original leather presentation case bearing the embossed logo of the official Russian distributor, the “Markov Brothers” Trading House. The ensemble is completed by an impressive gold chain of corsage-type weave, underscoring the ceremonial and prestigious character of the set.
Hallmarks: Swiss assay mark “Squirrel” for gold; Russian numeric gold standard “56”; Numeric designation “14K”; Movement serial number “364557”; Engraved inscriptions on the dust cover: “REPETITION A QUARTS”, “Chronographe Remontoir”, “Quantième phases de Lune”, “Reyem Frères Locle”. Chain: Maker’s mark with Cyrillic initials “AA”; Russian gold standard “56”; Moscow District Assay Office mark: female head in kokoshnik facing left with the initials of assay master Ivan Sergeevich Lebedkin (1899–1908).
Dimensions: Watch diameter 60.4 mm. Height 20.3 mm. Chain length 150 cm.
Weight: Watch 164 g. Chain 54.58 g. Total weight 218.58 g.
Condition: Excellent collectible condition. Case without deformations, crisp guilloché. Enamel dial intact. All functions operational. Professionally serviced.
Provenance: Switzerland. Original set with presentation case of the Markov Brothers Trading House, Russia.
The Reyem Frères Locle watchmaking firm belongs to a select group of Swiss manufacturers specializing in high-complication pocket watches for international markets during the golden age of horology at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The regions of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle were epicenters of horological innovation, bringing together master ébauche makers, enamelers and complication specialists capable of producing watches of the utmost technical refinement.
Orders destined for the Russian Empire held particular importance for Reyem Frères. Russian clientele demonstrated a strong preference for repeaters, calendars and astronomical indications, while also requiring adaptation to Cyrillic inscriptions. The presence of a fully Cyrillic calendar confirms an original export commission rather than a later modification, significantly enhancing the historical and collectible value of the watch.
The combination of a quarter repeater, chronograph, triple calendar and moon phases represents one of the most prestigious complication suites of the era, demanding exceptional craftsmanship. Such watches were produced in very limited numbers and reserved for aristocracy, major industrialists and wealthy merchants.
The Markov Brothers Trading House, located on Ilyinka Street in Moscow, was among the leading jewelry and watch retailers of Imperial Russia. Its reputation was founded on impeccable quality and rigorous selection of suppliers. The survival of the original branded case confirms official retail provenance and reinforces the authenticity of the ensemble.
Taken together, this watch stands as a museum-level example of Swiss high horology created specifically for the Russian market and preserved in remarkable completeness, making it an object of the highest collector significance.
The watch is in excellent collectible condition. The case shows no deformation or later intervention, with crisp guilloché decoration. The enamel dial is fully preserved. The movement functions correctly, including the repeater, chronograph, calendar and moon phase indications. Professionally serviced.
The condition report is provided for informational purposes only.
It is not comprehensive and may not reflect all defects, restorations, alterations, or adaptations, as Antiqon does not perform professional conservation-level assessments. The information is based on a qualified, yet subjective, evaluation by our specialists.Before purchasing, we recommend consultation with an independent expert.Please also consult our Terms and conditions and Glossary A-Z, which contain important information on lot characteristics and sale conditions.
