Contemporary, Limited Edition and Mod...

New York, Park Lane Hotel, Dec 15, 1998

LOT 472

Invente par Rieussec a Paris, circa 1825. Extremely fine and almost certainly unique, compact mahogany inking chronograph with 1/5 seconds diablotine, 60 minutes and 12 hours recorders, developed from the chronograph invented in 1821 for horse races.

USD 30,000 - 35,000

Sold: USD 61,900

C. Double body mahogany rectangular with glazed sliding back panel, the bezel flanked by hinged lids covering the control panels, brass folding bow. D. White enamel with Arabic seconds ring on the bezel's border, subsidiary 5 seconds dial with 1/5 seconds divisions with anti-clockwise revolving hand, minutes and hours registers. Blued steel hands. M. Gilt brass rectangular with going barrel, cylinder escapement, plain gilt brass three-arm balance, the rim with a pointer showing the amplitude on an outer scale, locking device and amplitude limitation by two elastic bankers. The mainspring can be wound both by means of a key or a folding keyless mechanism which also enables one to reset the hours and minute recorders to zero. Built-in inkwell and location for the removable ivory clipping nib. Signed on the dial. Dim. 80 x 58 x 28 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 3-21

Good

Period
Movement: 2

Very good
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Accompanied by photocopies of the different Ricussec inking chronograph patents. When suspended from the neck by a ribbon, the chronograph is in the upside clown position in order to be in the right position when held in the hand. This chronograph of outstanding quality, due to its glazed back revealing the movement, was almost certainly produced as an exhibition piece for one of the Expositions des Produils de l''Iudit.cirie Froazfaise or for one of the Universal Exhibitions.