Trusty Chinese Market Pocket Watch with Minute Repeating and Chronograph

Inventory Number: PW2303009LC

Made in Switzerland, circa 1900, signed Trusty. 55mm.Gilt silver hunter case with pearl-set bezels. Two sides of the enamel painting scenes depict a portrait of a western young lady and a couple having a spring outing, specially made for the Chinese market. Case no.752, movement no.334.

Minute repeating by two steel hammers striking on two steel gongs, activated by the rectangular push-piece located on the case band at 2 o’clock.  Chronograph is activated by a push-piece located on the case-band at 6 o’clock.

Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, minute repeater, and chronograph.

On loan from the private collection of Mr. Yeung Sau Wong.

Glossary of Material Terms

Enamel

A vitreous substance which main component is silica mixed with oxides (transition metals) that create a vast palette of colors. Enamel is used to decorate metal surfaces, gold, silver, and copper.

Painting on the Enamel

A gold or copper plate is coated with base enamel and then fired. The colors are in powder form which the enamel-painter dilutes as and when they are needed using an oily or semi-oily essence, before applying them with a fine brush. Each color is dried and then fired before the next is applied. A work can be fired numerous times.