Author: --
Size: D43mm
Signed and dated: --
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Master Minute Repeater， Ref. Q1642450， limited number of 175 pieces， Diameter 43mm， CIRCA 2010
Condition Report Grade 1.5
Mintue Repeater Collections
Before the invention of electric lighting， it was very difficult to keep track of time at night， and lighting candles or kerosene lamps was time-consuming. In 1687， English watchmaker Daniel Quare developed a minute repeating mechanism； the first minute repeating watch was made in Germany in 1720； and more and more watchmakers devoted their efforts to it throughout the 19th century. Nowadays， the minute repeater has become a manifestation of fine watchmaking craftsmanship， more of an art form than an actual function.
The minute repeater functions by striking the gongs with a mallet to produce three different tones to chime the hours， quarters and minutes. A minute repeater will normally start with a high tone， with each chime symbolising one hour， followed by a combined high and low tone， with each chime symbolising one quarter， and finally a low tone for the remaining minutes. For example， at 5:32， the watch will chime a high note 5 times， a combined tone 3 times， and a low note 2 times. Inside a minute repeater watch， in addition to the normal timekeeping system， there is a separate chime system， which saves energy for the repeater bar when the chime lever outside the case is activated. Although the mechanism is very simple， the craftsmanship and the hundreds of parts involved are so meticulous that not many watchmakers are experienced enough to make a minute repeater， and every piece is extremely valuable.
In order to assess the quality of a minute repeater， the basic criteria are the volume of the striking sound and the roundness of the timbre. The main factors affecting these two aspects are， of course， the quality of the design and production of the gongs and hammers， as well as the design of the entire mechanism and the size and material of the case. In short， the minute repeater is a complicated and intricate function， and the resonant sound of the chiming of the watch fully demonstrates the watchmaker’s mastery of his art. And now， Poly Auction has the honor to present a series of magnificent minute repeating wristwatches to collectors who would enjoy a visually and acoustically stunning masterpieces.
Since 1833， Jaeger-LeCoultre has established world-recognized superb watchmaking technology. To commemorate the 175th anniversary of the founding of the brand， Jaeger-LeCoultre began to review the most glorious chapters in the history of the brand and pay tribute to the past watchmakers， and launched this lot Master Minute Repeater. The clear and pleasing sound of the minute repeater watch often amazes musicians and watch experts， and has long been recognized as a classic masterpiece in the history of watches. This wristwatch launched by Jaeger-LeCoultre is made of a rose gold case with a diameter of 44 mm. The movement is directly presented on the skeletonised dial， while the clear “1833” word on the front is marked on the gold-plated gong welded to the sapphire mirror. This exquisite masterpiece that extends watchmaking craftsmanship to the realm of music and art is completely crafted by Jaeger-LeCoultre watchmakers with full skill and wisdom. This rare timepiece is limited to 175 pieces， which is very precious and invaluable.
The item is held under the bonded status， please check the NOTICE ON AUCTION OF BONDED LOTS in this catalogue for details.
