Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

The Ritz-carlton Hotel, Jun 06, 2004

LOT 248

August Von Loehr, Swiss made, No. 214, circa 1880. Fine and rare silver self-winding, square, ?perpetual? watch with power reserve indication.

HKD 18,000 - 23,000

EUR 2,000 - 2,400 / USD 2,300 - 3,000

Sold: HKD 11,500

C. Four-body, entirely engraved with masks, scrolling and foliage, silver hinged cuvette. D. White enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute track, subsidiary seconds at 10, up-and-down scale at 2. Gold ?Louis XV? hands.M. Square, 38 x 38 mm. (17 x 17???), nickel, 15 jewels, lateral counterpoised lever escapement, cut-bimetalliccompensation balance with flat balance spring, jeweled T-shaped oscillating weight with steel banking pins, lever-set.Signed on the dial ?Loehr Patent?, on cuvette ?Patent perpetual No. 216?.Dim. 48 x 48 mm.


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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 a USA 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.