Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 480

Ls. George à Berlin, circa 1790. Fine and rare, 18 ct. gold, early dead centre seconds stop-watch with special escapement and date.

CHF 13,000 - 15,000

C. Double body, Louis XVI, polished D. White enamel with small eccentric Arabic pour and minute chapter, symmetric calendar ring, centre second chapter on the border of the bezel (hair line). Gold "poker and beetle" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chair, Pouzait lever escapement with extra large plain gold four-arm balance covering 90% of the back plate, flat balance spring with regulator, skeletonised gilt brass cock Knurled setting wheel and stop-watch lever, in the gilt brass dial plate. Signed on the dial and back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 58 mm.


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Notes

During the last quarter of the 18th Century, several watchmakers tried to produce watches with dead centre seconds hands, much in favour among the scientists and for the Chinese Market. The attempt made by Moïse Pouzait with a lever escapement associated with a large seconds beating balance, due to its spectacular aspect, was much appreciated on the Chinese Market in spite of its sensitivity to Media, before the invention by Jacot of the so-called "Chinese duplex" escapement enabling the production of dead centre second watches. Louis George. Eminent Swiss maker, was among the firs watchmakers to follow Huguenin at the court of Frederic, King of Prussia, and formed in Berlin a Swiss community of watch- and clock-makers.