Important Collectors Watches, Pocket ...

New York, Jun 18, 2008

LOT 251

Atmos, ?J.L. Reutter Patent? Atmos, Pendule Perpetuelle, J.L. Reutter patent No. 4074, Swiss. Made in the late 1920?s. Very fine and very rare, early, Art Deco, black and gray marble, "perpetual" clock wound by changes in barometric pressure.

USD 10,000 - 15,000

EUR 6,500 - 10,000

C. Rectangular, black marble case with grey marble for the front and base, aperture to view the revolving pendulum. D. Matte silvered with painted black baton indexes. Black painted lozenge hands. M. Chrome, vacuum chamber winding the going barrel, lever escapement driven by annular tension pendulum, locking lever in the base below the pendulum. Dial signed, case numbered. Dim. height 27.5 cm., width 19 cm., depth 11 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3-19-26

Good

Dent(s)

Upgraded
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 4-12-01

Fair

Worn

HANDS Original

Notes

Atmos 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