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Hotel Nogalhilton Geneve, Nov 11, 2001

LOT 288

Recordon, Invenit & Fecit, London, No. 180, hallmarked 1794-95.Very rare and important gilt silver self-winding pedometer watch with ruby duplex escapement.

CHF 130,000 - 160,000

USD 80,000 - 100,000

Sold: CHF 168,500

C. Two-body, "forme collier", back with engraved coat of arms. D. Off-white enamel, upright Roman numerals, outer minute divisions, regulating sector between two and three o'clock. M. 47,2 mm, gilt brass, full plate with a cut for the oscillating weight, conical pillars, going barrel, ruby duplex escapement, plain three-arm steel balance, blued steel flat balance spring, rack and pinion regulator through the dial with compensation curb, escapement jeweled with endstones, teardrop oscillating weiht with platinum end pivoted at the edge of the back plate, two bumper springs fixed to the weight and two mounted on the movement, transmission via one wheel with a pinion, coil returned spring for the weight wound around its arbor, gilt brass guard lever for the vertical movement of the weight acted by a small wheel pivoted in the center of the weight, Recordon's patented weight locking device with a pivoted lever lifted by a disc on the barrel arbor which in turn lifts steel lever with a clicend acting on a ratchet set underneath the weight arm.Signed on the edge of the dial ring.Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

The watch clearly shows Recordon's Genevese origin. He was greatly influenced by the style of Breguet, whom he represented in England. This case is typical for early Breguet, the dial, and the compensation curb are clearly in the Breguet style. Louis Recordon (1756-1826).An eminent maker born in Ste. Croix (Switzerland). He served his apprenticeship in Geneva, then in 1778 settled in London, where he succeeded Emery in Cockspur Street. He went into partnership with Charles Dupont of Geneva, and together they specialized in watches and clocks for the Chinese market. In England, he became Breguet's representative, and in 1780 he perfected a self-winding watch."Dictionnaire des horlogers genevois", Osvaldo Patrizzi, Antiquorum Editions, Geneva, 1998.