Henri Motel No. 33, made before1823, restored for the Dépot de la Marine of Toulon, on 12 April 12, 1831. Rare and important early marine chronometer, made with the Louis Berthoud's caliber. | Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 17th October 1992

Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 17, 1992

LOT 476

Henri Motel No. 33, made before1823, restored for the Dépot de la Marine of Toulon, on 12 April 12, 1831. Rare and important early marine chronometer, made with the Louis Berthoud's caliber.

CHF 25,000 - 30,000

Sold: CHF 52,900

C. Double body mahogany box with slide on the lid over the glazed observation aperture. Brass gimball with a ladded bowl Ilned with velvet. Brass case en forme de tabatière, similar to that used by Louis Berthoud for his later chronometer, the winding hole on the bezel, covered by a slide. D. Silvered regulator type, similar to that used by Louis Berthoud, with small Roman chapter for hours, subsidiary seconds below, outer Arabic minute ring on the border of the bezel. It is marked: "Dépot de la Marine". Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Frosted and gilt, full plate, fully jeweled, with conical pillars secured by nuts with washers. Fusee with chain, maintaining power, Louis Berthoud type pivoted detent escapement, four armed compensation balance, with four trapezoidal weights and timing screws, blued steel conical balance spring. As on virtually all the Motel chronometers, it is wound from the bezel by means of a beveled gearing engaging the fusee. The balance can be locked in such a way, it stats again, at once, as soon as released. Signed on the dial, the back plate and the dial rim. In very good condition. Dial diam. 80 mm.

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Notes

Produced before 1823, for it does not bear the inscription: "Horloger de la Marine Royale", this chronometer is very similar to that produced by Louis Berthoud toward the end of his life and that made in his workshop after his death, under the direction of Motel. It is described and illustrated by J.C. Sabrier in Horlogerie Ancienne, Bulletin published by A.N.C.H.A., the French Association of watch and clock collectors, No. 25, Summer 1979. An off print copy of the article will be supplied to the buyer.