Exceptional Horological Sale Celebrat...
Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 24, 2004
LOT 458
Jaeger-LeCoultre, "Atmos". Produced circa 1980. Fine, rectangular, gilt brass and glass Atmos clock wound by barometric changes.
CHF 800 - 1,200
EUR 500 - 750 / USD 600 - 950
Sold: CHF 2,530
C. Glazed on 4 sides and on the top.D. Applied gilt radial Arabicnumerals and indexes on a painted black ring dial. Gilt "feuille"hands.M. Gilt brass, vacuum chamber winding the going barrel,lever escapement driven by annular tension pendulum, lockinglever above the pendulum disc, regulator at top.Case, movement and vacuum are signed.Dim. Height 23 cm., width 18 cm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: A |
Good |
Case: 3 - 14 |
|
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3 - 01 |
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.