Important Collector's Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Nov 11, 2007

LOT 36

?Two-Train Split-Seconds with Diablotine? P. H. Doret, Locle, No. 10039. Made circa 1860. Very fine, rare, early and unusual, 18K gold, huntingcased, two-train keyless pocket watch with independent split-seconds chronograph without return to zero function and 1/4 seconds diablotine.

CHF 10,000 - 12,000

EUR 6,000 - 7,000 / USD 8,500 - 10,000

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets", engine-turned covers with polished borders and band. Hinged gold cuvette with engine-turned border. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and outermost fourths of a second ring, subsidiary 1/4 seconds "foudroyante". Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 20???, rhodium-plated, two-train special caliber with tandem winding, 30 jewels, "fausses-côtes" decoration, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, independent split-seconds chronograph with push pieces in the bezel for stop/start and stop/rejoin. Diam. 57 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This watch can be considered a true chronograph with independent train. It is interesting because it probably dates from just before the Adolphe Nicole patent of 1862, and is therefore one of the early developments of the split seconds mechanism for chronographs. Unlike the Adolphe Nicole patent, the hands of the present watch cannot be reset to zero.