Important Watches, Collectors Wristw...
Hotel Noga Hilton, Nov 14, 2004
LOT 246
Johan Holzmann in Wien, circa 1815. Interesting and rare early silver Réaumur pocket thermometer.
CHF 5,000 - 7,000
EUR 3,000 - 4,500 / USD 4,000 - 5,500
C. Three-body, "Empire", polished. D. White enamel with Réaumur scalegraduations and indication for the freezing point: "Eispunct" and the temper-ature at which water boils: "Siedpunct". Blued steel hand. M. Gilt brass withbimetallic curb, rack and pinion transmission with coiled return spring, fineadjustment screws on both terminals of the curb, constructed along thesame principle as similar thermometers made by Houriet, Jürgensen andBreguet.Dial signed.Diam. 55 mm.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Grade: AA |
Very good |
Case: 3 |
Good |
Movement: 3* |
Good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 3 - 14 - 01 |
Notes
This type of pocket thermometer was made by Fréderic Houriet, Urban Jürgensen and Abraham Louis Breguet. It was described by Houriet in an advertising leaflet, unfortunately undated. The bimetallic thermometer device is extensively explained and illustrated by Urban Jürgensen in "Principes Généraux de l'Exacte Mesure du Temps par les Horloges", Copenhagen, 1805, pp. 245-253, pl. XIX. For a biography of Réaumur, see page 55.