Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 227

Jules Jürgensen, Copenhagen, made in Switzerland, No. 13919, circa 1880. Very fine 18K gold keyless minute-repeating watch with chronograph.

CHF 14,000 - 16,000

EUR 9,400 - 10,700 / USD 11,000 - 12,500

C. Four-body, massive, "bassine et filets", back engraved with monogram, gold glazed cuvette. D. White enamel, radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 43 mm. (19'''), nickel, 35 jewels, straight line calibrated long lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator with Jürgensen patented micrometer scale, Jürgensen's patented bow setting.Signed on dial, case and movement, movement also punched with Jürgensen's mark under the dial.Diam. 57 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

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

Notes

Jürgensen invented his bow-setting mechanism in 1867. He wanted to prevent any accidental changing of the watch setting. In his design, the cover had to be opened in order to turn the bow far enough to engage the setting pin. In some of his watches, including the present lot, he did not want the back cover, which was not spring-loaded, to be opened by the owner. Therefore, for his open-face watches, he used a special case whose front was designed with a bezel utilizing a lifting mechanism like that in a hunting-case. The setting could be done safely, by first opening the front by pushing on the stem, turning the bow until it touched the crystal, then setting the watch to the correct hour.