Important Collectors Wristwatches, P...
New York - The Fuller Building, Dec 07, 2006
LOT 255
?Chinese Atmos Clock? LeCoultre & Cie, Swiss, Ref. 5806. Production of this reference started in 1962. Fine and very rare, rectangular, gilt brass and perspex (lucite) mantel clock with ?Asian motif? panels and wound by barometric changes. Accompanied by a fitted box.
USD 2,500 - 3,500
EUR 2,000 - 2,700
Sold: USD 4,956
C. Glazed on 4 sides and on the top with perspex panels, those on the sides set with gilt Asian water scenes, the front panel with aperture to view the pendulum, stepped plinth base. D. White with applied gilt faceted dart indexes and Arabic quarter-hour numerals. Gilt ?dauphine? hands. M. Cal. 526-5, gilt brass, vacuum chamber winding the going barrel, lever escapement driven by annular tension pendulum, locking screw in the base below the pendulum disc. Case, movement and vacuum signed. Dim. 23 x 18 x 14 cm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-49 |
Good Service case |
Movement: 2 |
Very good |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Notes
The Atmos clock was invented by Neuchâtel engineer Jean-Léon Reutter (1899-1971). From his youth, he was preoccupied by the idea of industrially producing a clock that could be wound by atmospheric fluctuations, and in 1928 he succeeded. Reutter?s patent was first licensed to a French company who exploited it until 1935. Subsequently, it was purchased by Jaeger LeCoultre. After difficult early years, by 1979 there were half a million such clocks which quickly became popular and prestigious gifts for the important heads of states during their visits to Switzerland.