Importantes Montres de Collection

Geneva, May 15, 2011

LOT 420

The Three-Hand Chronograph Watch The Only Known Example Swiss, Schaffhausen, No. 9974. Made circa 1890. Very fine and exceptionally rare, possibly unique, large, silver keyless pocket watch with three-hand chronograph and instantaneous 30-minute register, five hands from the same central axis and single button governing all five functions.

CHF 16,000 - 26,000

USD 18,000 - 30,000 / EUR 12,000 - 20,000

Sold: CHF 28,750

C. Four-body, bassine, polished, master mark J.K.G, co-axial button in the crown for the start/stop and return-to-zero functions of the chronograph. Hinged silver cuvette. D. White enamel with Arabic numerals, outer minute track and outermost fifths of a second divisions with Arabic fivesecond numerals, subsidiary seconds and instantaneous 30-minute register. Blued steel spade hands. M. 22???, rhodium plated, wavy-line decoration, straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring with Philips terminal curve, index regulator, the chronograph mechanism with two sets of three stacked wheels driven directly from the stack on the fourth wheel pivot via three stacked intermediary wheels engaged when the crown is depressed for each function, large castle wheel with four pillars, each with three steps. Case and movement numbered, case with Schaffhausen poinçon. Diam. 62 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

The present watch is the only known example of a pocket watch with three true chronograph hands function, it is also one of the very few watches to have five hands from the central axis. All five functions of the chronograph are governed by the single button in the crown ? an exceptional feat. This chronograph is made to allow three timings during an event of individual sections, thereby acting as three individual chronographs but operated from the same button, once each hand has been stopped it cannot be re-started until return-to-zero of all three hands. The crown also activating the return to zero of all three hands and the 30-minute recorder. After the first pressure on the button all three hands together are engaged, with the second pressure, the ?lower? hand is stopped, with the third pressure the ?middle? hand is stopped with the fourth pressure the ?upper? hand is stopped, the time of the three events may then be read. The fifth pressure releases the brake levers and all the hands are returned to zero. The case of this watch is punched with the Schaffhausen ?bear? poinçon. It would have taken a watchmaker with considerable skill to produce movement with a three-step castle wheel, the movement is also highly finished. It is certainly possible that this watch was made in the workshops of the International Watch Co., perhaps as a special order or an experimental piece.