Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 18, 1998

LOT 611

Albert G. Piguet, Le Sentier, No. 220, made in 1933. Fine and extremely rare clemontration watch with double balance and differential gearing, inspired by Breguet ' s researches on resonance mutual adjustments.

CHF 50,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 130,000

C. Three body, massive, "bassine " , polished with glazed back. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minutes ring and sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued-steel "spade " hands. M. 15"', rhodium plated, "fausses cotes" decoration, 29 jewels, double straight line lever escapement, two brass-invar Guillaume balances, blued-steel Breguet balance springs with swan-neck micrometric adjustments. Signed on the movement. Diam. 49 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image

Grading System
Grade:
Case: 14-35

Damaged

To be restored

Movement: *2

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 22-51

Later original

Partially reprinted

Notes

When it was produced in 1933, this movement was made as a Master Piece, intended to be exhibited. The case was made of nickel with glazed back, similar to that used for movements submitted to timing contests at observatories. Subsequently, in the 1970's, it was cased in gold in order to be sold. Breguet was the first to discover the phenomenon of resonance and its applications. He made two long case regulators and some watches fitted with two complete movements in the same case and showed that the balances, regulated by the resonance phenomenon are brought to oscillate step to step. As opposed to those made by Breguet, this watch is not fitted with a double movement but with a single wheel train, regulated by two complete escapements linked together by a sun-and-planet type gearing. Albert G. Piguet As a skilled pupil at the Ecole d'Horlogerie of the Vallee de Joux in Sentier between 1930 and 1934, Albert G. Piguet (born 1914) obtained various diplomas as a complete watchmaker including calibres and complicated watches. He succeeded in completing his studies within three years only, instead of the usual fora-, and was therefore able to be trained as a prototype maker. The class of watch and calibre makers of the Ecole d'Horlogerie of the Vallee de Joux, established in 1923, was always intended for gifted pupils who also manifested a certain aptitude for maths and drawing and who wished to continue working in this field. Pupils were obliged to study a calibre in all its aspects, including the drawing of the plans, the calculation of the mobiles and the manufacturing of all the parts, from the rough, with only the assistance of specialised tools and lathes. In the course of these classes, various types of work were undertaken in order to overcome new problems, hence, soon small size watches were being made. Therefore, some watches made in this context have given characteristics which make then unique pieces. This is the case for the watch made by Albert Piguet, under the supervision of the director of the school, Marcel Builleumier. It was a double regulator of 17"' and 38 mm in diameter, the smallest made of that series. From 1932 to 1934, 6 pocket chronometers with double regulator had been produced by the class of calibre makers, which were two types for each sizes: 45, 43 and 38 mm, of calibre Nos. 15, 16, 17. On leaving the school in 1934, Albert Piguet found employment as chronograph manufacturer and designer at Lemania, then affiliated to SSIH. He was required to design the necessary tools for manufacture, therefore involving him closely with equipment and other suppliers. In 1941, he created the Omega Speedmaster Chronograph, the first and unique watch worn on the moon and the only one chosen by NASA and Russian cosmonauts for all space missions with astronauts on board. Excellent maker, Albert Piguet created a good number of Lemania calibres produced from 1934-35 to the early 1980's. Piguet, a man of strong character and sense of leadership, became technical director of Lemania from 1948 to 1980, overseeing the construction of chronograph calibres. Albert G. Piguet was a board member of the Ecole d'Horlogerie from 1946 to 1980 and President of that same board from 1977 to 1980. Bibliography: Documentation by Mr. Moonier, Ecole Technique de la Vallee de Joux, Le Sentier; La nwntre a deux regulaleurs, written by Svend Andersen for Chronometrophilia N° 7; Les Fcoles suisses d'Horlogerie, Fritz Linder, editeur, Zurich, pp. 214-215, 226-227, 232. Interview with Mr. Albert Piguet. Interview with Mr. J. Reymond, who worked closely with Mr. Piguet at Lemania, for many years.