Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 10

James C(asar) Pellaton, Dr. H.C., Le Locle, No. 1944, made specially for Georges Perrenoud in 1941. Very fine and very rare 18K gold, keyless one-minute tourbillon regulator in mahogany gimbaled box.

CHF 70,000 - 90,000

EUR 45,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 80,500

C. Three-body, "bassine et filets", glazed back, polished, set in two-body mahogany box with brass handles, brass enforced corners, lock in front, brass gimbaled ring with locking slot. D. White enamel, Breguet numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary sunk seconds, snap-on fit. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 44.8 mm, rhodium-plated, Technicum locle caliber with curved center bridge, "fausses-côtes" decoration with narrow straps, three-arm Pellaton carriage with lateral calibrated lever escapement, cut anibal-steel Guillaume bimetallic compensation balance with special steel alloy balance spring with Phillips outer terminal curve, index regulator with gold scale plate, the pins with micrometric screw adjustment, jeweled to the center, entire escapement with endstones. Signed on dial, movement: "Fabriqué spécialement pour Georges Perrenoud. James C. Pellaton, Dr. H.C., Le Locle, 1941."


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The watch with tourbillon carriage was an ultimate in precision timekeeping. During the 1920?s and 1930?s, James Casar Pellaton was the most esteemed maker of tourbillon carriages, which he supplied to the most prestigious companies including Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Girard-Perregaux, Ulysse Nardin. The watch is described and illustrated in detail by R. Meis in "Le Tourbillon", pp. 170-71. James Casar Pellaton (ca. 1880 -1954) was one of the most esteemed makers of tourbillons in the 20th century. He learned his craft from his father, also an esteemed tourbillon maker. In design he followed his father, working on the same type of ebauches. He became director of the horological school in Le Locle, which in 1943 awarded him the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa, one of only three awarded at the time. Georges Perrenoud A businessman, he was the owner of the company Dixi, which manufactured all kinds of mechanical devices, including fuses for artillery.