The Art of American Horology & Colle...

New York, Nov 28, 2001

LOT 182

Albert H. Potter & Co. Geneva, No. 4, made circa 1875.Exceptionally fine and rare, 18K gold, hunting cased, keyless pocket chronometer.

USD 20,000 - 24,000

Sold: USD 21,850

C. Four-body, massive, "bassine et filets" engine-turned covers, five-link hinges, gold glazed cuvette. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute ring, sunk subsidiary seconds, snap-on fit. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 45 mm (20'''), nickel, patented caliber, "spotting" decoration, 22 jewels, most in gold screwed settings, patented pivoted detent escapement, counterpoised detent, gold passing spring, two-armed cut-bimetallic compensationbalance with gold temperature screws and large plainum quarter screws, blued steel free-sprung helical balance spring with terminal curves, patented motor barrel, lever-set.Signed on the dial and movement.Diam. 56 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3-15

Good

Slightly rusted
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

This is one of the Potter's earliest watches made on Swiss soil according to his design developed and patented in America. There are minute differences between the early and later Potter chronometers; early ones have spotted movements, the later ones are usually decorated with Geneva stripes and were almost always stamped with Potter's large trademark, whereas the early ones were not. According to Kalish, Potter used to say, that he did not have to stamp his cases, because everyone knew his workThe stem in the early ones is hold by a screw mounted in the center of the pendant sleeve; in the later, it is flush with the body of the case. The early ones have atraditional balance spring stud, the later ones are more elegant.See also note to the following lot.