Huguenin Berthoud, Locle, Suisse, No. 11729, circa 1870. Very fine, rare, early and unusual 18K gold, hunting cased, keyless watch with split seconds independent 1/4 seconds chronograph and "diablotine". | Important Watches, Wristwatches and Clocks | Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, 12th April 1997

Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 12, 1997

LOT 152

Huguenin Berthoud, Locle, Suisse, No. 11729, circa 1870. Very fine, rare, early and unusual 18K gold, hunting cased, keyless watch with split seconds independent 1/4 seconds chronograph and "diablotine".

CHF 12,000 - 14,000

C. Four body, massive "bassine et filets", engineturned with reeded band. Hinged gold cuvette with engine-turned border. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute and seconds rings and sunk subsidiary 1/4 seconds "foudroyante". Blued steel Breguet hands. M. 20"', nickel plated, double train special calibre, 30 jewels, "fausses cotes" decoration, counterpoised straight line lever escapement, cut bimetallic balance, Breguet balance spring. Split independent seconds with push pieces in the band. Signed on the dial and movement. In very good condition. Diam. 57 mm.

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As opposed to regular watches with independent seconds mechanism, this watch can be considered as a true chronograph with independent train, because the chronograph hands can be reset to zero. It can therefore be consicered as one of the first applications of the Adolphe Nicole patent front 1862 and one of the first developments of split seconds mechanism for chronographs.