Which historical figure is associated with the circular gong for repeater watches?

The circular gong is a significant development in the design of repeater watches, particularly attributed to Abraham-Louis Breguet. This innovation marked a departure from earlier bell mechanisms used in watches, providing a more compact and efficient way to produce sound. Breguet's mastery in horology enabled him to refine and perfect the technique, which greatly enhanced the acoustic qualities of repeater watches.

Breguet's contributions to watchmaking extended beyond the circular gong; he is also renowned for his pioneering inventions and designs in the field, such as the tourbillon and the Breguet overcoil. His innovation with the circular gong allowed for a clearer and more harmonious chiming, which is a hallmark of his work in creating timepieces renowned for their precision and artistry.

The other figures mentioned were prominent in horology as well but are not specifically associated with the circular gong. John Arnold and Ferdinand Berthoud, for example, made their marks in the realm of precision timekeeping and marine chronometers, while Jean-Antoine Lepine was known for his advancements in watch movement design. Their contributions to the craft of watchmaking were substantial, but the particular association with the circular gong is a defining characteristic of Breguet's legacy.