This unique and historically important watch is a H.R. Ekegren, a brand renowned for producing the highest quality of watches. Ekegren was acquired by the famous watchmaker Edouard Koehn, who had previously been a watchmaker Patek Philippe for 15 years before becoming a director and 1 of the 5 directors of Patek Philippe. In 1891 he decided to create his own watches, focusing on quality pieces produced in individual pieces and small series, under his brand name Ed. Koehn and under H.R. Ekegren for which he reserved the name for his most prestigious watches due to the brands already highly regarded reputation prior to his acquisition. He worked closely with his son, Ed. Koehn Jr. who had studied under him, until Jr. took over the company in 1908 upon his fathers death. 

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It is no surprise then that this piece features the same calibre found in Patek Philippe minute repeating wristwatches of the 1920's, as well as a Stern Frères dial like its Patek Philippe counterparts, the same casemaker and even the same winding crown; one can see the Patek Philippe DNA woven throughout this special piece. Let's not forget just how rare minute repeating wristwatches of the 1920’s were, the miniaturisation of such a complication required great skill and time, with only a very small number known they were reserved for the most prestigious collectors of the era, such as the likes of Graves and Packard in the case of Patek Philippe. 

The parallels with Vacheron Constantin are more obvious, being that this piece shares the same case design as the original Vacheron Constantin design released in 1921 for the American market which has birthed the now celebrated rereleased “Historiques American 1921”. Edouard Koehn Jr. ran the company until 1933, after which it was resolved and he worked for Vacheron Constantin.

Only 3 Ed. Koehn or H.R. Ekegren minute repeating wristwatches are known, each one unique in their own right and of which this is the only example branded H.R. Ekegren. They are as follows:

1. A piece similar in look to this but signed Ed. Koehn and with enamelled Breguet numerals rather than applied gold numerals 
2. A beautiful example with a chased and enamel inlaid case, signed Ed. Koehn
3. This example signed H.R. Ekegren, made for the American market, retailed by J.E.Caldwell in Philedelphia with gold applied Breguet numerals. 

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Further information to follow, enquiries and questions welcome, please click on the enquire button on this listing and a member of our team will be glad to help.

Brand: H.R. Ekegren
Model: Early Minute Repeating Wristwatch
Year: circa 1921
Movement: Manual winding, 31 jewels
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Diameter: 32mm
Lug Width: 18mm
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