Important Collectors’ Wristwatches Po...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 21, 1995

LOT 253

Smith & Son Ltd. Trafalgar Square, London, No. 302-15, made by Nicole Nielsen, with London hallrnarks for 1909. Extremely fine 18 ct. gold, keyless pocket chronometer with one minute tourbillon regulator and 30 hour power reserve indication.

CHF 70,000 - 80,000

Sold: CHF 74,750

C. Double body, massive, "pomme et filets", polished, marked "F.T." (Frederick Thomas). D. White enamel by Willis, with Roman numerals, sunk subsidiary seconds and up-and-down scale. Blued steel "pear" hands. M. Glazed 20-, frosted and gilt, two-third plate, fusee with chain and maintaining power, 19 jewels, pointed-tooth lateral lever escapement with gold wheel, brass-invar Guillaume balance, balance spring with terminal curve. One minute tourbillon regulator with Nicole Nielsen first type, polished steel three equidistant arm carriage. Free winding crown with buttons for winding and setting bands. Signed on the dial and }Jack plate. In excellent condition. Diarn. 55 mm.


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Notes

S. SMITH & Son the leading London firm for high quality and cornplicated watches at the end of the 19th Century and during the opening decades of the 20th, was founded by Samuel Smith, jeweller and watchmaker, c. 1851. Watches were made for him by Nicole Nielsen. Alongside the wide range of civilian watches and docks. Smith's also made chronometers which performed well and made the firm a supplier to the Admiralty. Under the guidance of Herbert S.A. Smith, the firm developed into a large manufacturing company with its own research laboratories, the family succession being continued a further generation by (Sir) Alan Herbert Smith, the company developing to make automobile and aircraft instruments alongside docks and watches. Addresses: Newington Causeway 1859 179-85 Gt Portland St 1914-68 Piccadilly W 1914 9 Strand 1917 6 Grand Hotel Bdgs 1921 Trafalgar Squ. 1922 76 Mark Lane