Unsigned, French, circa 1820. Rare and highly unusual mahogany transportable time piece with time recorder. | 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 228

Unsigned, French, circa 1820. Rare and highly unusual mahogany transportable time piece with time recorder.

CHF 2,500 - 3,000

Sold: CHF 3,910

C. Double body, mahogany rectangular with gilt brass engine-turned bezel. D. White enamel with Breguet numerals. Blued steel Breguet hands. Hinged brass inner chapter ring for the recorder with Arabic numerals. M. Brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, verge escapement, plain brass threearm balance, blued steel flat balance spring with regulator, a bolt in the bezel. The outer extra large minute wheel is fitted on the rim with a spring loaded pin activated by depressing the button below the dial in order to pierce, at will, a piece of paper clipped between the brass chapter ring and its base inside the box. In very good condition. Dim. 19,5 x 11 x 4 cm.

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Although it does not show the seconds, this apparatus could well be the precursor of the inking recorders invented by Rieussec and improved by Batton for Breguet. Instead of marking the dial with a drop of ink, the pointer pierces the piece of paper, clipped between the brass chapter ring and its base, inside the box. Such instruments were certainly produced to record the time for scientific experiments.