Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Apr 28, 2019

LOT 424

ZENITH POCKET WATCH WITH ALARM; 18K YELLOW GOLD

HKD 16,000 - 19,000

CHF 2,000 - 2,400 / USD 2,050 - 2,450

18K yellow gold, open-face, keyless-winding, round-shaped, pocket watch, subsidiary seconds at 6 and two horological complications: - Alarm on a steel gong (subsidiary dial at 12 o'clock with blued steel index; time-setting by push-pin on the right side of the pendant) - Twin-barrel differential-winding The hinged case-back, once deployed, serves as a base for the watch, to stand on a nightstand or on a desk. Movement based on the Swiss invention patent No. 63 623, delivered on March 11, 1913, to Fabriques des Montres Zénith, successeur de Fabriques des montres Zénith Georges Favre-Jacot & Cie, Le Locle, for a "Montre-réveil perfectionnée".


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-70-01

Good

ENAMEL AND VARIOUS TYPES OF DECORATION Hairline

HANDS Original

Brand Zenith

Model "Mahatma Gandhi"

Year circa 1920-1930

Movement No. 409 241

Calibre  18 ½ ''', gilded brass, with two going barrels, straight-line lever escapement, compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve

Case No. 188 427

Material 18K yellow gold

Caliber 18 ½ ''', gilded brass, with two going barrels, straight-line lever escapement, compensated balance with gold poising screws and blued steel hairspring with terminal curve

Dimensions Ø 50 mm.

Signature dial, case and movement

Notes

A pioneer by nature, Zenith filed a first patent in 1913 for a sophisticated watch on which the alarm time could be set using a special bolt device. This first milestone paved the way for the pocket-watches launched in 1915 and available in several versions, meaning with a gold, silver, blackened steel or white metal case. These pocket-watches have proven themselves highly functional, since in addition to the alarm function, the case features a hinged cover at noon which, once deployed, serves as a base or carrier for the watch and therefore makes the musical chiming of the alarm more clearly audible. The latter is made by a hammer striking the gong which is independent from the case middle. With this model, Zenith offers a perfect alarm watch that is neither thicker nor bulkier than a classic pocket-watch. The double-function crown cleverly winds the movement in the usual left to right direction. In the other direction, it supplies the striking mechanism power reserve. The case middle is fitted with adjustment pushers framing the crown. The righthand pusher serves to adjust the time and the left-hand one to adjust the alarm time ?? which is read off on a subsidiary dial at 12 o’clock. This dial version features luminescent Arabic numerals. The sweep seconds hand is classically positioned at 6 o’clock as on most pocket-watches, so that the dial remains uncluttered and the user is never disturbed in reading the time. The design of this alarm watch is intended to be understated and authentic, thus ensuring it is ready for any type of use its wearer may require, wherever he may find himself and in any kind of situation.”