Only Online Auction
Hong Kong, Sep 28, 2022
LOT 136
Jules Emmery
Pocket watch, dead independent seconds, “foudroyante” seconds; silver
HKD 18,000 - 28,000
EUR 2,300 - 3,600 / CHF 2,200 - 3,500 / USD 2,300 - 3,600
Silver, open-face, key-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, with two horological complications:
· Dead independent seconds (exterior graduation with central hand; activated by the single round-shaped push-piece located on the pendant)
· ¼ of second, known as “foudroyante” seconds (subsidiary dial at 6 o’clock)
White colour enamel dial, with radial Roman numerals; blued steel “Bregeut” hands.
Case-back polished; silver cuvette (dome) polished.
Movement 19’’’ ½, nickel-plated, two going barrels, lateral equilibrated lever escapement with elongated fork, cut bimetallic compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel flat hairspring, polished steel index-regulator.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3-8 |
Good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3-70-01 |
Good ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairline HANDS Original |
Brand Jules Emmery, La Sagne (Neuchâtel mountains)
Year circa 1860-1870
Movement No. unnumbered
Case No. unnumbered
Material silver
Diameter 53.2 mm.
Caliber 19’’’ ½, lateral equilibrated lever escapement with elongated fork
Weight 113 gr. (approx.)
Notes
Emmery, Jules
Working in La Sagne (Neuchâtel mountains) in the mid-19th century.
A watch (possibly this watch) is recorded by Baillie in the Chambers Collection with “sweep seconds and ¼ seconds hands”.
--
Foudroyante and diablotine
In an independent dead seconds watch or a chronograph, the so-called “foudroyante” or “diablotine” function is displayed on the main dial by means of a subsidiary dial, usually placed at 6 o’clock.
The small hand moves very quickly, jumping at intervals of ¼ or 1/5th of a second, depending on the frequency of the watch. During the chronographical function, this small hand stops and allows the reading of the quarter or fifth of a second:
· ¼ of second, known as “foudroyante” seconds (14 400 vibrations per hour)
· 1/5 of second, known as “diablotine” seconds (18 000 vibrations per hour); the term “diablotine” literally means “little devil”.
Provenance
· Antiquorum, Geneva, auction, November 16, 2008, lot 504, sold for the amount of CHF 3 000.-