Important Collectors' Watches, Pocket...

Geneva, Mar 16, 2008

LOT 5

Atmos, J. L. Reutter Patent Atmos, Pendule Perpetuelle, J. L. Reutter patent, model RC2, No. 4897, Swiss. Made in 1934. Very fine and very rare, early, Art Deco, chrome and glass, "perpetual" clock wound by changes in barometric pressure.

CHF 15,000 - 20,000

USD 14,000 - 18,000 / EUR 9,000 - 12,000

Sold: CHF 18,000

C. Rectangular, chromed frame and inclined base, glazed 4 sides and top with rectangular base. D. Matte silvered with applied blued brass ?Art Deco? Arabic numerals. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Chrome, vacuum chamber winding the going barrel, lever escapement driven by annular torsion pendulum, locking lever in the base below the pendulum. Vacuum frame signed on a plaque and numbered. Dim. height 23.5 cm., width 17.8 cm., depth 14 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-7-9-01

Fair

Oxidized

Scratched

HANDS Original

Notes

The Atmos clock was invented by Neuchâtel engineer Jean-Léon Reutter (1899-1971). From his youth, he wanted to produce a clock that could be wound by atmospheric fluctuations, and in 1928 he succeeded. Reutter?s patent was first licensed to a French company who exploited it until 1935. Subsequently, it was purchased by Jaeger-LeCoultre. After difficult early years, by 1979 there were half a million such clocks which quickly became popular and prestigious gifts for the important heads of states during their visits to Switzerland.