Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, May 13, 2012

LOT 379

VAUCHER FRERES LARGE SILVER SPRING DETENT CHRONOMETER Vaucher Freres, Swiss, No. 12961. Made circa 1850. Very fine and rare, large, silver deck chronometer with footed spring detent escapement and helical balance spring.

CHF 6,000 - 8,000

USD 6,500 - 8,700 / EUR 5,000 - 6,500

C. Four-body, bassine et fi lets, engine-turned. Hinged matte gilt cuvette engraved with the technical details. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, large subsidiary seconds. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 60 mm., matte gilt, three-quarter plate, the barrel with separate bridge secured by two screws, fusee and chain, maintaining power, jeweled Earnshaw-type escapement with footed two-spring detent, cut bimetallic compensation balance with temperature and meantime adjustment screws, free-sprung blued steel helical balance spring. Dial signed. Diam. 70 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-24-01

Good

Slightly chipped

HANDS Original

Notes

This is an unusual large Swiss mid-19th century deck watch with chronometer escapement. The escapement is basically of Earnshaw type although the detent spring is slightly unusual in that it uses two separately footed springs mounted one above the other. The resulting action of the escape wheel and roller however remains the same as in Earnshaw?s escapement.