Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 70

Charles Henri Grosclaude & Fils, Fleurier, Suisse, No.3944/26177, circa 1865. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel keyless minute tourbillion regulator watch with reversed fusee and special patented winding and setting mechanism.

CHF 80,000 - 100,000

EUR 50,000 - 60,000

Sold: CHF 234,500

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets", back engine-turned and centered with enameled initials, reeded bezels and band, gold hinged glazed cuvette. D. Silver, Roman numerals, outer minute track, center with applied gold basket of flowers, outermost with applied gold scrolling decoration. Blued steel "fleur-de-lis" hands. M. 45 mm. (20???), frosted gilt, reversed fusee and chain, maintaining power, mainspring barrel and fusee under one bridge, tourbillon carriage similar to that of Guinand and Grether, lateral calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, rare winding/setting mechanism patented by O. Courvoisier, English patent No. 1114 of 1873 with setting bolt on the band at 1 o?clock. Signed on the dial, punched with makers trademark "CH G&F" inside back cover. Diam. 55 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

The carriage, with arrows and a heart at the three terminals, appears to be of Grosclaude?s own design. The reversed fusee (not to be confused with inverse fusee) was first employed by Mudge in order to decrease wear on the center wheel bushing; it is very rarely found in Swiss watches. Its use can be explained by the fact that Grosclaude was primarily a chronometer maker. The use of the Courvoisier winding/setting system several years before it was patented in 1873 might suggest that Courvoisier asked Grosclaude to implement his new invention in this watch. It might therefore be a sort of prototype employing Courvoisier?s invention, which was later used by Patek Philippe, among others (for example in movements No. 35570, 39699 and 48067). For a biography of Charles Henri Grosclaude, see previous lot.