Important Collector's Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Nov 11, 2007

LOT 37

?Split-Seconds & Diablotine? Ami LeCoultre, (Brassus & Geneva), No. 3118. Made circa 1885. Fine and rare, 18K gold, keyless, split-second chronograph pocket watch with quarter-second diablotine.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

EUR 6,000 - 7,000 / USD 8,500 - 1,000

Sold: CHF 18,880

C. Four-body, ?bassine et filet?, polished, the front cover with engraved monogram, chronograph buttons in the band. Hinged gold cuvette with engraved dedication, glazed gold-rimmed cover over the movement. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer Arabic minute and chronograph divisions, outer red Arabic five minute/seconds numerals, quarter-second "diablotine". Blued-steel "spade" hands. M. 42 mm. (18'''), rhodium-plated, 32 jewels, counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, adjusted cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, micrometric cam type regulator. Dial and movement signed. Diam. 50 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This movement with direct "diablotine" mechanism was invented by Ami LeCoultre from Le Brassus, Switzerland and is based on his patent No. 355403 of Jan. 4, 1887. The movement of the present watch is inscribed as ?Patent Applied For? and must therefore date from before 1887.
Ami LeCoultre
Charles Ami Lecoultre (1843-1921) began his career in Le Brassus, manufacturing complicated watches. In 1878 he exhibited a highly complicated watch at the Universal Exhibition in Paris, this watch became known as?La Merveilleuse? and is now in the Musee International d?Horlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds. In 1881, Ami LeCoultre formed an association with Louis Elisée Piguet during the course of which he registered several patents.