When it comes to the study of horology, few watches are arguably as exciting as a minute repeater watch. These are, however, a rarity in today’s day and age, owned only by seasoned watch collectors.
So, what are minute repeater watches, how do they work and can you do without one? We have all the scoop.
What is a Minute Repeater Watch?
A minute repeater pocket watch is a one-of-a-kind which chimes it rather than showing the time. You simply have to either press a lever or a button on the side of the watch, depending on the model, allowing you to hear the rings. It truly is a mind-boggling innovation!
How Do Minute Repeater Watches Work?
We all know how chiming clocks work, but how on earth is it possible to fit all that inside a small wristwatch? Here’s how:
- Hours: In order to indicate the hour, you’ll hear a low tone. So, suppose it’s 6 a.m., you’ll hear 6 low chimes.
- Quarter Hours: A unique combination of both high and low tones can help you identify each quarter hour. Suppose it’s 30 minutes past 6 – you’ll hear 2 high and low chimes.
- Minutes: When it comes to finding out the minutes, you need to keep an ear out for high tones.
Okay, we know this might be a lot to take in all at once. Let’s revise, shall we? Suppose it’s 6:35 a.m. — you’ll hear 6 low chimes for the hour. 2 high and low chimes for the quarter hour (30 minutes), and five high chimes for the minutes past the quarter hour (5 minutes).
The mechanics of these watches are pretty spectacular, it’s just a series of hammers and gongs working in perfect harmony. Here’s a breakdown:
- Activation: Pressing the lever or button on the side of the watch kickstarts the power mechanism.
- Striking: Once the lever or button is released, tiny hammers strike the gongs. This creates a series of chimes, each indicating the time.
- Sequence: All these chimes work in perfect order, first indicating the hours, the quarter hours and finally, the minutes.
The History Of Minute Repeater Watches
While it may not seem like it today, the invention of a minute repeater watch hinged on practicality. If we take a trip down memory lane to the 1600s and 1700s, electricity wasn’t yet invented, making it understandably difficult to tell time in the dark. English watchmakers Daniel Quare and Thomas Tompion then came up with the amazing idea of a chiming watch.
Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1783 invented the gong spring. This allowed the repeater mechanism to be translated into a more compact version of what we know today: a minute repeater watch.
So, how does the need for the minute repeater pocket watch arise in the 21st century, you may ask? While we do fortunately have electricity now, this makes for a handy gadget for anyone who’s visually impaired. It makes telling time so much easier!
Our Top Recommendations for Minute Repeater Watches
While you may not necessarily need a minute repeater watch in your collection, they’re a good keepsake to have. Especially if you’re reminiscing how far watchmaking has come. Here are some of the best minute repeater watches.
1. Patek Philippe 5178G
Although now discontinued, nobody does a minute repeater watch better than Patek Philippe. The 5178G comes with a 40 mm white gold case and features cathedral gongs that make it truly stand out from the rest on the market. Cathedral gongs are harder to make and are considerably longer than standard gongs — which means more resonant chime.
2. Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin
Minute repeater watches are high complications, and it’s not every day that you come across an ultra-thin one. Jaeger-LeCoultre, however, perfected his craft by making the thinnest minute repeater to ever exist in 2014. Don’t be fooled by its slim profile, though, it does just as well as any minute repeater watch when it comes to producing powerful chimes.
3. Breguet Tradition 7087
Founded in 1795, the Swiss luxury brand, Breguet, is no stranger when it comes to making minute repeater watches that are a testament to their longstanding success in the industry. Featuring a 44 mm 18k gold case, you can clearly visualise the hammers and gongs, giving it quite the retro look. Still, its transmission chain keeps it close to its traditional, original pocket watch roots.
4. Jaquet Droz Bird Repeater
No one does luxury like Jaquet Droz, and the Bird Repeater proves it. While the engineering is impeccable, much like the rest of the ones mentioned, the creativity is truly awe-inspiring. The dial features two baby birds moving towards their parents and asking for food. The parents move, feeding their offspring which each chime.
Takeaway
A minute repeater watch may not be a timepiece you stumble upon frequently. But when you do, make sure you stop and appreciate the intricate mechanism, the engineering, craftsmanship and art that goes behind each piece.
We’ve come a long way in terms of watchmaking – and if minute repeater watches aren’t your cup of tea, that’s perfectly fine! If you’re looking for more modern, timeless pieces, we have a wide selection of preloved luxury watches you’d want to check out.
