Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 306

Dekemel-Hebbelynck, Antwerp, circa 1800.Very fine, rare and unusual eight-day going large mahogany marine chronometer with unusual auxiliary compensation.

CHF 4,000 - 6,000

EUR 2,800 - 4,100 / USD 3,000 - 4,400

Sold: CHF 8,625

C. Three- body, with brass handles, the glazed upper section with hinged lid, interesting fusee-like brass chains to hold the upper part in upright position when opened, bottom lined with heavy burgundy satin fabric. Brass bowl and gimbaled suspension, unusual locking device. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute ring with five-minute Arabic markers, subsidiary seconds, woman's head in sunburst below signature. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 145 mm., gilt brass full plate withsimple turned baluster pinned pillars, fusee with chain and maintaining power, Earnshaw spring detent escapement, two-arm cut bimetallic compensation balance (Arnold Z-type) with cylindrical weights, two mean time adjusting screws and two spherical nuts for final micrometric temperature adjustment at the threaded free ends of the bimetallic segments, free under-sprung blued steel helical balance spring of exceptionally small diameter, unusual U-shaped bimetallic curve displacing the beat positio, diamond endstones on both sides of the balance and escape wheel.Signed on dial and movement.Dim. Bowl 147 mm., box 24 x 24 x 21 cm.


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Grading System
Grade: A

Good
Case: 3 - 13
Movement: 3*
Dial: 4 - 32 - 01

Notes

This chronometer is unusual for its balance spring, of exceptionally small diameter and its two types of temperature compensation - the bimetallic compensation balance and bimetallic compensation curb that only changes the position of the beat. The balance bimetallic segments are constructed by riveting steel and brass lamina and soldering them afterward, the compensation curb lamina are simply riveted. It is made in the manner of Arnold at he beginning of his chronometer career. The idea of thsecondary compensation by beat displacement is very unusual. It is a well known fact that if the position of the balance spring is altered on the balance staff, the chronometer will change its rate. It appears that Dekemel-Hebbylynck used this property to compensate for Middle Temperature Error. There are other features very rarely found on marine chronometers, such as fusee-like chains holding both parts of the box, enamel dial, or gimbal locking system.Charles DekemelIs recorded as a horologist and nautical instrument supplier in Antwerp.