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Hotel Nogalhilton Geneve, Nov 11, 2001

LOT 262

James C. Pellaton, Le Locle, No. 1963, Premier Prix Observatoire de Neuchatel 1933.Exceptionally fine and important 18K gold, keyless, one-minute tourbillon regulator pocket chronometer, with original leather fitted box.

CHF 90,000 - 130,000

USD 55,000 - 80,000

Sold: CHF 113,500

C. Three-body, "bassine et filets", solid, glazed back, band chased and engraved with laurel leaf pattern, polished bezels. D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary sunk seconds, snap-on fit. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 44,8 mm (19 3/4'''), rhodiumed, Le Locle Technicum caliber with curved center bridge, "fausses côtes" decoration with narrow straps, three-arm equidistant Pellaton carriage with lateral Swiss calibrated lever escapement, cut anibal-steel Guillaume bimetalic compensation balance, special steel alloy balance spring with Phillips outer terminal curve, index regulator with gold scale plate, the pins with micrometric screw adjustment, jeweled to the center, entire escapement with endstones.Signed on dial, movement and box.Diam. 54 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The watch with tourbillon carriage was an ultimate in precision timekeeping. During the 1920s and 1930s James Casar Pellaton was the most esteemed maker of tourbillon carriages, which he supplied to the most prestigious companies including Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Girard-Perregaux, .and Ulysse Nardin.The watch is described and illustrated in details in "Le Tourbillon" by Reinhard Meis, Les Editions de l'amateur, Paris, 1990, pp. 170-71.James Casar Pellaton (d.1954).One of the most esteemed makers of tourbillons in the 20th century. He learned his craft from his father, also an esteemed tourbillon maker. In terms of design, he followed his father's footsteps, using the same type of ebauches. He became director of the Le Locle Technicum, which in 1943 awarded him the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa.