Only Online Auction
Geneva, Sep 22, 2021
LOT 97
J. Nordt & Sohn
Pocket watch, Courvoisier’s patented winding and setting system; 18K yellow gold
CHF 700 - 1,400
EUR 650 - 1,300 / USD 800 - 1,550 / HKD 6,000 - 12,000TO BE SOLD WITHOUT RESERVE
Sold: CHF 1,187
18K yellow gold, open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, with subsidiary seconds at 6 and Courvoisier’s patented winding and setting system.
Guilloché (engine-turned) case-back, with, in the centre, a circle; inside case-back engraved “Weihnachten 1878”; gilded metal cuvette (dome); gilded brass bow.
White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals; blued steel hands.
Movement 18’’’ ½, gilded brass, going barrel, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensated balancewith gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve, polished steel index-regulator; winding and setting wheels mounted on the back-plate.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: A |
Good |
Case: 3-7-9-12-18 |
Good Oxidized Scratched Worn Spotted |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-9-01-04 |
Good Scratched HANDS Original HANDS Later |
Brand J. Nordt & Sohn, Danzig
Model Olivier Courvoisier patent
Year circa 1880
Movement No. unnumbered
Case No. 51 929 (by “A P”)
Material 18K yellow gold
Diameter 48 mm.
Caliber 18’’’ ½, lever escapement
Weight 89.6 gr. (approx.)
Signature cuvette (dome) and dial
Accessories copy of the invention patent
Notes
Movement based on the British invention patent No. 1 114, delivered on March 26, 1873, to Olivier Courvoisier, Neuchâtel (1, rue du Seyon), for “Keyless Watches”.
In this mechanism, the winding of the barrel is done in the traditional way; the crown is turned clockwise to wind the watch. To set the time, one must push on the pusher (at 11 o’clock) and turn the crown in one direction or the other to set the time. By operating this pushrod, a large steel wheel under the ratchet-wheel is moved and engaged with a small steel wheel on the central axis.
This mechanism was used circa 1875-1880 by the Genevan manufacture Patek Philippe in some of its watches of 3rd quality. A few examples made by the Fabrique (or Société) genevoise d’ébauches de Montres (Saint-Jean) are also known. This company, which won 1st and 2nd prize at the Geneva horological competition of 1869, went into liquidation in 1880.
This mechanism is described in a series of thirteen articles published in the Journal Suisse d’Horlogerie between July 1888 and October 1889. These unsigned pages – of which there is an offprint published in 1889 (82 pp.) – are probably by Jean-Adrien Philippe (1815-1894), co-founder de Patek Philippe.
CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION FOR BUYERS
The purchase price payable by a buyer will be the sum of the final bid price plus the buyer’s premium, together with any applicable sales or compensating use tax. In addition to the hammer price, the buyer’s premium is payable as follows: 25% of the hammer price on each lot.Important notice – Special conditions Please look carefully at all the photos as they are an integral part of the description. Any defect not mentioned in the descriptions but visible on the photos will be considered as described and cannot lead to any claim. The dimensions are given as an indication and may slightly differ from the measures mentioned by the manufacturers especially for contemporary watches. The photos are not retouched. Colors may differ from reality. For timepieces, we guarantee neither the functioning nor the precision of the movement, nor the water-resistance of the case. In addition, please note that movements, parts of mechanisms or cases may be incomplete. The lots are sold “as is”, described to the best of our knowledge and cannot be returned. Once the online bid is placed by the bidder, it cannot be cancelled.