Important Wristwatches, Watches & Clocks
Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 17, 1992
LOT 48
Honoré Pons, France, circa 1800.
CHF 3,000 - 4,000
Sold: CHF 3,910
Extremely rare experimental center seconds pocket chronometer movement in a later silver case. White enamel eccentric dial, with Breguet numerals and outer seconds ring on the border. Full plate gilt brass movement with cylindrical pillars secured by screws, going barrel, early pivoted detent escapement, plain brass three armed balance, flat balance spring with unusual bimetallic compensation curb on the regulator. Honoré Pons signature scratched on the front plate below the dial and on the dial enamel backing. Diam. 56 mm.
Notes
Very rare testimony of the researches of one of the most
inventive French maker who was appointed by the
French Government to organized in 1806 the
production of carriage clocks and chronometers in Saint
Nicolas d'Aliermont. Extremely fine constant force
demonstration escapement and a very unusual
astronomical carriage clocks are exhibited in the Musée
National des Techniques (C.N.A.M., Paris) together with
the tools invented by him for the attempt of an
automatic production of carriage clocks and
chronometers.
Tris watch is clearly an experimental piece, as the
signature is simply scratched on to the dial plate. Pons
fitted the detent escapement to an existing movement
presumably rather than built complete ebauche.