Thematic Auction in Geneva:The Evolut...

Hotel Noga Hilton, Geneva, Nov 16, 2002

LOT 435

August Von Loehr, Swiss made, No. 3395, circa 1880.Fine and unusual silveroid self-winding "perpetual" pocket watch.

CHF 600 - 1,000

EUR 450 - 650

Sold: CHF 1,840

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets", polished, silveroid hinged cuvette with winding and setting apertures. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued steel "spade" hands. M. 38.5 mm. (17'''), frosted gilt, jeweled cylinder escapement, three-arm plain brass balance with flat balance spring, jeweled oscillating weight (of climbing axes shape) with steel banking pins, setting through milled disk set on the center arbor projected in the setting apertureof the cuvette.Signed on the dial "Loehr Patent", on cuvette "Patent perpetual No. 3395".Diam. 49 mm.


LOADING IMAGES
Click to full view
Image
Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

On April 12, 1878 August von Loehr of Vienna filed for a British patent for a self-winding watch with a special simple overwinding prevention system and a special setting mechanism. On July 13, 1878, he filed for an American patent, which was granted on January 7, 1879 (No. 211280).Before Loehr's invention, self-winding watches required an elaborate disengaging system when fully wound. Loehr overcame this problem in a very simple way by employing an elastic ratchet pawn.