Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Geneva, Mar 17, 2013

LOT 256

LARPENT & JÜRGENSEN POCKET THERMOMETER Larpent & Jürgensen, Kiöbenhaven (Copenhagen). Made circa 1815. Interesting and rare early silver Réaumur pocket thermometer made to the design of Frederick Houriet.

CHF 2,500 - 4,500

USD 2,700 - 5,000 / EUR 2,000 - 3,700

Sold: CHF 3,125

C. Three-body, ?forme collier?, polished. D. White enamel with Réaumur scales with indications for ?Degrés du froid?, Glace and ?Degrés du chaud?. Blued steel hand. M. Gilt brass with bimetallic curb, rack-and-pinion transmission with coiled return spring, micrometrically adjustable lever mounted at the end of the rack acted upon by the curb. Dial signed. DIAM. 63 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-70-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairline

HANDS Original

Notes

This type of pocket thermometer was first made by Fréderic Houriet followed by Urban Jürgensen and Abraham Louis Breguet. It was described by Houriet in an advertising leaflet, unfortunately undated. The bimetallic thermometer device is extensively explained and illustrated by Urban Jürgensen in ?Principes Généraux de l?Exacte Mesure du Temps par les Horloges?, Copenhagen, 1805, pp. 245-253, pl. XIX. An almost identical thermometer signed `Fred Houriet` was sold by Antiquorum, Geneva, October 11th, 2003