Exceptional Horological Works of Art

Geneva, Oct 19, 2002

LOT 81

Perret & Martin, Geneva, circa 1900. Very fine and rare 18K gold hunting-cased keyless pocket chronometer with one-minute tourbillon regulator and detent escapement.

CHF 100,000 - 130,000

EUR 65,000 - 85,000

Sold: CHF 146,500

C. Four-body, "pomme et filet", polished, reeded band, gold-hinged cuvette over glazed gold bezel for viewing the movement. D. Silver, snap-on fit, punched "AI" on the reverse, Roman numerals separated by engraved floral and foliate engraving, outer dot minute track, center and edges with applied varicolored gold floral and foliate pattern, subsidiary sunk seconds, outermost decorated with engine-turned pattern. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 45 mm. (20???), nickel and damascened in unusual dot and zigzag patterns, 14 jewels, 3-arm Auguste Grether type carriage with pivoted detent escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold temperature and mean screws, blued steel balance spring with Phillips? outer terminal curve and protruding perpendicular overbanking prevention pin with two corresponding stop pins mounted on the balance arm, index regulator. Signed on dial and movement, case punched "TMC". Diam. 56 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2

Very good
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2 - 01

Notes

This watch has a Le Locle Technicum ebauche, with its characteristic curved center bridge. It is exceptionally well finished, the steel parts superbly polished, the bridges and pillar plate damascened with an unusually elaborate pattern, and the pillar plate on the dial side finely finished with "oeil de perdrix". Auguste Grether (1817-1879) and Ernest Guinand (d. 1879) were the foremost tourbillon specialists of the time. Their cages were similar, Grether?s having characteristic crescents at the top. Most Grether carriages are fitted with a pivoted detent escapement. There are some exceptions, most notably those made by Piguet Frères. This piece is remarkable for its high finish and excellent condition.