Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 12, 1997

LOT 231

Brosse a Bordeaux, Invenit et Fecit 1817. Fine and almost certainly unique marine chronometer with extraordinary constant force escapement.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

C. Double body mahogany box with slide on the lid over the observation aperture. Brass gimbal with laded bowl and special locking device to secure it in the horizontal position. D. Silvered with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Brass three-quarter plate with cylindrical pillars secured by screws, going barrel, highly unusual "hammer and nail" type, triple detent constant force escapement with locking wheel on the back plate border, three-arm compensation balance, free sprung blued steel helical balance spring. Signed on the dial. In very good condition but needs to be overhauled. Dial diam. 80 mm. Dim. 13 x 16 x 16 cm.


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Brosse a Bordeaux Very little is known about this maker who worked in Bordeaux, Allee de Tourny, in 1817, Rue Esprit des Lois in 1819 and Fosse de l ' lntendance from 1821 to 1834. His main line of activity does not seem to have been watch- and clock-making since his production was very limited as well as being highly unusual and creative. Most of his work is now in the Aimee National des Techniques (C.N.A.M.), Paris. Mostly regulators, they are all different and with highly unusual and sophisticated escapements, including different forms of detent escapements for clocks and constant force escapements. Two pocket chronometers and three clocks are known to exist in private collections. This marine chronometer appears to be unique.