Important Collectors’ Wristwatches an...

Hôtel Plaza Athénée - Le Trianon, Sep 28, 2005

LOT 143

"Secondes Foudroyantes" Jules Jürgensen, Copenhagen, made in Switzerland, No. 11762. Made for the North American market circa 1870. Very fine, hunting-cased, keyless, 18K pink gold pocket watch with double-train, independent seconds with 1/5 seconds diablotine and Jürgensen's patent bow setting.

USD 3,000 - 4,000

EUR 2,500 - 3,300

Sold: USD 4,255

C. Four-body, "bassine et filets", solid, polished, engine-turned case band, bezel engraved ?Patent 1867 January 15?, case back inside with inscription dated 1905, glazed gold cuvette. D. White enamel with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track, outermost 1/5th seconds divisions, subsidiary 1/5th seconds jump diablotine. Blued-steel "Breguet" hands (damaged). M. Cal. 20''?, nickel, 25 jewels, straight line counterpoised lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance-spring, off-center index regulator with Jürgensen micrometer scale, tandem winding, independent seconds function and diablotine locked when cover is closed. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 50 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

Jules Frédéric Jürgensen (1808-1877) The son of Urban Jürgensen, and a very eminent watchmaker himself, Jules was born in Le Locle but as a child moved with his parents to Denmark. In 1830, after the death of his father, the company was taken over by Jules and his brother Louis Urban. In 1833, Jules returned to Le Locle and built up a great business. After his death, the family business was continued by his brother and in 1886 it was sold to an employee, H. Kiens, whose sons, Jules 1837-1894 and Jacques Alfred 1842-1912, continued the business, as did the House of Heuer subsequently. Jürgensen became watchmaker to the King of Denmark, and was made a Knight of the Légion d?Honneur and Knight of the Royal Order of Dannebrog. Between 1870 and 1876 he was a member of the commission of surveillance of the Geneva School of Horology, along with Ekegren and Potter and others; he was a member of many commissions in Switzerland judging horological contests. He stamped most of his watches on the pillar plate under the dial: Jules Jürgensen of Copenhagen.