Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Jul 09, 2016

LOT 392

ERNEST GUINAND LARGE ONE-MINUTE TOURBILLON DETENT ESCAPEMENT Ernest Guinand, Le Locle, No.1061. Made circa 1867. Extremely fine, rare and important 18k gold hunting-cased keyless pocket Chronometer with one minute tourbillon regulator. Controled at the Neuchatel Observatory in 1867.

HKD 250,000 - 400,000

USD 32,200 - 51,500 / CHF 31,850 - 50,000

Sold: HKD 325,000

Five body, massive, "bassine et filets", glazed cover for the movement (glass missing). Enamel with black roman numerals, outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued-steel Breguet hands. Rhodium plated with "fausses côtes" decoration, 15 jewels, pivoted detent escapement, two armed cut bimetallic balance with gold poising screws, blued steel balance spring with terminal curve and arc limiting pin. Ernest Guinand first type polished steel tourbillon carriage, driven by the minute wheel.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 2-8

Very good

Slightly scratched
Movement: 2*

Very good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 2-01

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

DIAM. 60 mm. THICKNESS 20 mm. In very good condition. ERNEST GUINAND (c. 1810-1879). Guinand was an important Master Horologist from Le Locle, who, along with AUGUSTE GRETHER from Ponts-de-Martel (1817-1879), specialized in the production of tourbillon carriages. According to the records of the NEUCHÂTEL OBSERVATORY, Guinand's production of tourbillons began between 1865 and 1867. He designed three models of Tourbillon carriages, always based on an A-shaped frame. He worked for several important makers, including GIRARD-PERREGAUX and MONTANDON. Most of Guinand's carriages were equipped with a pivoted detent escapement, one with spring detent and some with lever escapement. Most of his carriages were not signed and can only be identified by their characteristic A-shape. In 1864 PATEK PHILIPPE chose him to build their first tourbillon regulator.