Collector's Pocket Watches, Wristwatc...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Apr 12, 2003

LOT 373

Unsigned, probably Geneva, circa 1810.Extremely rare and fine 18K gold rectangular lady's pendant watch with chronometer escapement and visible balance.

CHF 11,000 - 13,000

EUR 7,600 - 9,000 / USD 8,000 - 9,600

Sold: CHF 12,650

C.Two-piece, rectangular with chamfered corners, polished back, split pearl-set bezel and bow. D. Small, white enamel, Breguet numerals, outer gold minute track with fifteen-minute Arabic markers. Blued steel "lozenge" hands. The whole set on a polished steel plate, gold balance at the lower part with small steel V-shaped cock.M. 33 x 19 mm., rectangular, gilt brass, full plate, fixed barrel, pivoted detent chronometer escapement of unusual construction, three-arm gold balance, flat blued steel balance spring.Front bezel punched "ET" inside.Dim. 55 (with bow) x 25 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3
Movement: 3*
Dial: 3 - 01

Notes

Provenance: Time Museum, inv. No. 3370.It is rare to find such a small lady's watch from this period with a chronometer escapement. The escapement is an unrecorded version of the bascule pivoted detent escapement; the impulse being delivered in the usual way, the locking being achieved by a small Y-shaped spring-loaded pivoted pawn. On its arbor is a freely-revolving spring-loaded lever "I" whose thin spring (corresponding to the passing spring) winds around its arbor while the discharging pin runs back during the return motion of thbalance "passing" the lever "I".The mechanism can be seen only from the back plate. The front is carefully concealed behind the polished steel plate. This is accomplished in a very unusual way - the balance wheel is friction-fit on the staff and slides after the escapement is set and the steel plate put in place.The watch demonstrates Genevan watchmakers' search for perfection, not only in the outward appearance of their timepieces, but also in their timekeeping qualities.