Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 12, 1997

LOT 243

Ls. George a Berlin, circa 1790. Fine and rare 18K gold, early dead centre seconds stop-watch with special escapement and date.

CHF 6,000 - 7,000

Sold: CHF 8,625

C. Double body, Louis XVI, polished D. White enamel with small eccentric Arabic hour and minute chapter, symmetric calendar ring, centre second chapter on the border of the bezel (hairline). Gold "poker and beetle" hands. M. Hinged gilt brass full plate with cylindrical pillars, fusee with chain, Pouzait lever escapement with extra large plain gold four-arm balance covering 90% of the back plate, flat balance spring with regulator, skeletonised gilt brass cock. Knurled setting wheel and stop-watch lever in the gilt brass dial plate. Signed on the dial and back plate. In very good condition. Diam. 58 mm.


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Notes

During the last quarter of the 18th century, several watchmakers tried to produce watches with dead centre seconds hands, much in favour among scientists and in the China. The attempt made by Moise Pouzait with a lever escapement associated with a large seconds beating balance, was much appreciated on the Chinese Market, due to its spectacular aspect despite its inertia sensitivity, prior to the invention by Jacot of the so-called "Chinese duplex" escapement enabling the production of dead centre second watches. George in Berlin. Eminent Swiss maker. Wo was among the first watchmakers to follow Huguenin at the court of Frederic, King of Prussia, and formed in Berlin a Swiss community of watch and clock makes.