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The tourbillon may be today’s most ubiquitous high complication, but many people who collect
fine watches say they find far fewer well-made minute repeaters on the market. This makes them
attractive to many serious collectors. In addition, the watchmaking skills required to make
and tune a minute repeater are said to be more difficult to hone. Originally invented centuries
ago for use in pocket watches, repeater mechanisms tell the time acoustically, an especially
useful function in the days before electronic lights and illuminated dials. While the repeater
that can gong on demand to the minute is the most complicated and expensive variation of this type
of watch (and almost always sells for well over $100,000), there are also quarter repeaters and
five-minute repeaters (which may not offer up-to-the-minute precision, but are easier on
the wallet).
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Repeater
watches should not be confused with alarm watches, which, while acoustic, chime when
the time reaches a time of day preset by the wearer. Nor should they be confused with grande and petit
sonneries, which can be set to chime the time automatically, and may or may not be capable of
functioning as repeater watches. The essential characteristic that defines any repeater—minute,
fiveminute or quarter—is its ability to be activated on demand. Repeaters are also notoriously fragile,
due to their high level of complication. Accidentally setting the time while your repeater is activated
could cost you thousands in repairs.
Though
not exhaustive, this guide includes most of the brands currently manufacturing repeaters today.
If you see one that catches your eye, check out the "Editorial Contact Index," on page 273.
Hopefully, you will be chiming the time soon.
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