Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Hong Kong, Apr 23, 2006

LOT 153

?Early Keyless Cover Winding, Patented 1866? Chs. Rubens & Co., Chaux-de-Fonds, No. 8642, the case by Emile Perret, Locle, No. 21538/8642. Made circa 1866. Very fine and very rare, 18K gold, hunting-cased pocket watch with ?remontoire perpétuel à décrochement? keyless cover winding patented by Charles Rubens & Co., on February 6th 1866.

HKD 30,000 - 40,000

USD 4,000 - 5,200 / EUR 3,200 - 4,300

Sold: HKD 37,760

C. Four-body, ?bassine et filets?, engine turned, reeded band. Gold hinged cuvette. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel ?Breguet? hands. M. 40 mm (18'''), maillechort, ?fausses-côtes? decoration, 17 jewels, the barrel secured with serpentine bridge, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut-bimetallic compensation balance with gold temperature and meantime adjustment screws, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, patented winding mechanism by closing the cover which transmits the power via a lever to a ratchet wheel on the barrel arbor, a safety device disengaging the mechanism when fully wound, knurled wheel for hand-setting in the crown engaged by pulling out. Cuvette and movement signed, case signed by Perret, dial inscribed ?Patented 1866?. Diam. 52 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The patent for this type of self-winding watch was originally taken out by T. Robert Theurer in the U.S. and was assigned to Charles Rubens & Cie after this date. This patent for keyless cover winding pre-dates Benjamin Haas?s patent of 1873.