Swiss 31-Jewel Quarter-Hour Repeating Pocket Watch by The House of Capt

Elegant in both form and function, this early 20th-century Swiss pocket watch exemplifies the enduring appeal of refined horology. Its rich 18K yellow gold case features a desirable half-hunter (demi-hunter) style. The cover features a central aperture that offers a discreet glimpse of the time without opening the cover. Thus, allowing you to still see the time while protecting the dial.

Beneath the hinged front, the original kiln-fired enamel dial reveals itself in full. Crisp black Roman numerals display the time with blued steel hands and a subsidiary seconds register at six o’clock. The restrained layout and high-contrast detailing reflect the classical design language of Geneva’s finest watchmaking tradition.

Housed within is a true complication of distinction, a quarter-hour repeater, a feature historically prized for its utility in low-light conditions and admired today for its mechanical artistry. Simultaneously wound and activated by a slide set into the case band, the quarter-hour repeater brings the watch to life through a sequence of chimes. Within, miniature hammers strike a series of tuned steel gongs coiled inside the case. The time is then audibly announced in two distinct stages. First, the number of the current hour, followed by a double-tone sequence marking how many quarter hours have passed.

Both the cuvette and movement are signed “Henry Capt, Genève,” linking the piece to one of the most respected names in early Swiss watchmaking. Founded by Henry-Daniel Capt (1773–1840), he and his successors were celebrated for their mastery of complicated watches, musical mechanisms, and automata. Works bearing the Capt name are in important collections, including the Swiss National Museum, and are recognized for their ingenuity and craftsmanship.

A high-grade 31-jewel movement powers the watch, which bears a complete restoration and carries an 18-month warranty.

Movement#20503

53mm Case

Circa 1900