A TRIBUTE TO PRECISION AND COMPLICATE...

Hotel Nogalhilton Geneve, Nov 11, 2001

LOT 44

Precision Timekeeper with 3 ComplicationsAntide Janvier, "pour son Ami Gorcy, composé à Paris, terminé en 1810".Unique and spectacular, astronomical, 3 week-going, double overhanging pendulum, "resonance" mantle regulator with two independent trains, each with one-second remontoir and Berthoud type detent escapement.

CHF 0 - 0

USD 0 - 0

Sold: CHF 1,598,500

C. Rectangular mahogany base with rounded front corners, applied ormolu decoration in the front depicting two fish spouting water, supporting a protective glass dome. D. White enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, three hands: fleur de lis for the hours and blued steel index for the minutes driven by train No. 1 (left) and "poker" minute hand driven by train No. 2, winding apertures at 4 and 8 o'clock. The dial is flanked by two silvered humpback panels with seconds chapters at the top, theleft one driven by train No. 1 and the right one, running counterclockwise, by train No.2. M. Rectangular, 19,5 cm wide, 12,8 cm high, brass, mounted to heavy brass frame, two trains, each one with its own ingeniously simple constant force Berthoud detent escapement, two brass-steel gridiron compensating pendulums beating half seconds, knife-edge suspensions. Each escapement consist of pivoted rocking frame holding wheel, say, "A" and pivoted in such a way that it meshes with the pinion "B" (10eaves) of the fifth train wheel "C" (10 teeth) resembling an escape wheel. The rocking bar by the force of gravity falls down on the side where the wheel "A" is pivoted. The other side of the wheel meshes with 10-tooth escape wheel so, when the escape wheel is locked, the force of mainspring transmitted by the pinion "B" lifts the wheel A and consequently raises the bar, furnishing constant energy to the escapement. The end of the rocking bar is terminated with a detent that locks the wheel "C"ust after the lifting. The pendulum unlocks the escape wheel which is driven by the falling action of the rocking bar and so delivers an impulse to the pendulum with constant momentum. The pendulum is terminated by a platform holding the impulse pallet and unlocking spring, both with regulating screws. Two spring-loaded steel brackets securing pendulums for transport, four leveling knobs at each corner of the base, with a level at the back of the base, two length-adjustment knobs at the top of te frame.Signed on the movement, the dial, and both pendulums, the subsidiary seconds dials signed "A" and "J".Dim. Height 63 cm, base width 35 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 3 - 18 - 01

Notes

This is the only known spring-driven table regulator with double overhanging pendulums, and it is the earliest known with the "rocking bar" constant force mechanism. It employs Berthoud's pivoted detent escapement. The mechanism is superbly finished.It is extremely rare to find a clock of this importance with a dedication such as this one.Pierre-Christophe Gorcy (1758-1826)A distinguished doctor, Gorcy was Inspecteur honoraire du service de santé, Chief doctor of the Army and of the Military hospital of Metz, Officer of the Legion of Honor, Associate Member of the Académie Royale de Médecine, Member of the Linnean Society, the Societies of Agriculture and of Medecine, the Cercle Médical de Paris, and Titulary Member of the Société des Lettres, Sciences et Arts. Born in Pont-à-Mousson in Meurthe-et-Moselle on March 1, 1758, Gorcy died in Metz on December 16, 1826.man of science, Pierre-Christophe Gorcy was also a connoisseur of the mechanical arts, the fine arts, and a lover of painting and sculpture.Several things tie him to Janvier - both were from the east of France, and throughout his life Janvier sought ties with scientists and artists who came from the same region as he. Secondly, it is quite likely that Gorcy, like Janvier, was a free mason. Thirdly, both were members of the Société des Lettres, Sciences et Arts of Paris. Fourthly, Gorcy was interested in mechanics, and lastly, but perhaps most importantly, he specialized, among other things, in diseases related to the eardrum, writin, in 1792, a memoir entitled "Réflexions sur une observation de tympanite aigüe" (Reflections on an acute case of tympanitis) - and Janvier may indeed have consulted him for this problem.