The Longitude at the Eve of the Third...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 23, 1999

LOT 97

Louis Berthoud à Paris, No. 2521, sold toMr. Blanchard de Pigou, on 20 March 1791,for 60 Louis.Fine and very rare 18K gold, quarter dumb repeating pocket chronometer.

CHF 15,000 - 18,000

C. Double body, polished, by Joly (Master mark),No. 199 with Paris hallmarks for 1789. D. White enamel by Morimont (signed on the enamel backing), with Breguet numerals and subsidiary seconds. Blued steel Breguet hands with skeletonised tips. M. Gilt brass, full plate inverted, with cylindrical pillars secured by screws, fusee with chain and maintaining power, later spring detent escapement, plain brass three-arm balance beneath the dial, flat balance spring with bimetallic compensation curb on the index. Repeating on the case by depressing te pendant.Signed on the dial and back plate.Diam. 53 mm.


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

Good
Case: 4

Fair
Movement: * 4
Dial: 22 - 6 - 12

Notes

Previously in the collection of the Time Museum, Rockford, Illinois, U.S.A., it is described by Anthony Randall inThe Catalogue of Chronometers in the Time Museum, p. 86, entryNo. 18. It was sold by Sotheby's in New York on December 11, 1986, lot No. 186.Originally made with the typical Louis Berthoud pivoted detent escapement, the escapement was replaced by a spring detent escapement towards the middle of the 19th century, but the original escape wheel was preserved.