Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 227

One-Minute Tourbillon ? Class A Certificate 86.9 Marks John Sutherland, 38, Cranmer Road Forest Gate, London, No. 5162. The case with London hallmarks for 1904. Extremely fine and rare, 18K gold, keyless pocket chronometer with one minute tourbillon regulator, awarded a Class A Certificate by the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington,Middlesex, accredited as Especially Good in 1914, with a total of 86.9marks, passing with superior merit. Accompanied by the original Certificate.

CHF 70,000 - 90,000

USD 65,000 - 85,000 / EUR 45,000 - 55,000

C. Three-body, "pomme et filets ", polished, by Frederick Thoms, master mark FT, swivel anti-theft pendant, five bar hinge. Glazed goldrimmed cover to view the movement. D. White enamel by Willis, with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel pear hands. M. 20"', frosted gilt, half-plate, 20 jewels, pointed tooth lateral lever escapement with gold wheel, anibal-brass Guillaume balance, free-sprung blued steel balance spring with outer terminal curve, one-minute tourbillon regulator with polished steel three equidistant arm carriage drawn from that of Nicole Nielsen's second type, polished steel skeleton single bridge. Movement signed, dial numbered. Diam. 55 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Extract from the results of the rating trial from March 2 to April 15 1914. The mean daily rate, in pendant up position: - 1.1" The mean daily rate, in right position: - 0.6" The mean daily rate, in left position: - 0.1 " The mean daily rate, in dial up position: - 1.4" The mean daily rate, in dial down position: - 0.7 " Mean variation of daily rate: +/ - 0.28 " Mean change of daily rate for I " Faht.: +/ - 0.07 " Difference between the extreme: 5.2 " Number of the above marks awarded In respect of variation of daily rate: 34.3 In respect of change of position: 37.4 In respect of temperature compensation: 15.2 Total: 86.9
This watch was prepared and then submitted to the N.P.L. by John Francis Cole of Usher & Cole, presumably on behalf of the owner, some ten years after it was made. Cole was an outstanding springer and timer and would have been personally very familiar to the staff. His father, Richard Wright Cole, died in 1919, Joseph Usher having done so in 1903. None of J.F. Cole's sons joined the firm but they continued running Usher & Cole Ltd. until he sold it to Camerer Cuss on his retirement in 1955.
Literature: "Le Tourbillon", Reinhard Meis, Editions de l'Amateur, Paris, 1990, p. 344. Archival information kindly provided by T. Camerer-Cuss Esq, London.