INVICTA (SWISS) 18K 58mm Massive Hunter Case Minute Repeater Chronograph Guilloche Engine-Turning Engraved Case Yellow Gold

Description

REMARKS: Awesome Massive Invicta Swiss Minute Repeater Chronograph Hunter Case Pocket Watch in 18K Solid Gold Case at 58mm.  Invicta has not always been a cheap quartz wristwatch brand until modern times, in the age of pocket watches Invicta was actually a high-end Swiss brand that specialized in high grade and complicated mechanisms and this minute repeater is a testament to its former glory.  On the dustcover of this timepiece it is fully engraved with medals Invicta has won in years past including the Bulletin D’Observation or chronometer prize in Paris 1896.  This puts the age of the watch at around 1900, and it is certainly a high-grade timepiece.  The movement is a Le Phare ebauche slide-activated minute repeater with chronograph functions.  Most minute repeaters made by Le Phare are button activated but this one has a nice slider activation associated with higher grade models.  The 18K case is a nice a solid one at 142.5g total weight, with guilloche engine-turning throughout the front and back covers.  It even still has the inner cuevette still present for displaying the movement through the crystal (plastic).

CONDITION REPORT: Condition-wise the watch winds and runs well and the minute repeater works accurately to chime the time.  The sound of the minute repeating is loud and clear.  Chronograph mechanism works as it should with start-stop-reset all functioning.  We do not make guarantee only timekeeping accuracy or operation.  It has not been serviced by the seller and it’s under the sole discretion of the end-user in regards to service or maintenance.  For any antique watch movement we always recommend for the owner to conduct full service with qualified watchmaker to ensure longevity of the mechanism.  Cosmetically the 18K solid case is in great condition with its very finely executed guilloche engine-turned engravings still fully intact which gives it a brilliant look.  There are two very small dings on the caseback and not readily visible from the outside.  The dial is in excellent shape with no crack or chip.  The base-metal crown and bow are most likely later replacement as they don’t match the color of the case, with the bow having wear through discoloration but this is easily replaceable.  The filigree hands have tarnished a bit that they don’t shine as they originally did anymore.  This watch is massive at 58mm and 142.5g total weight and it will be an impressive specimen in anyone’s collection.