Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Apr 24, 1999

LOT 81

Thomas Engel, Haldenhof Aesch/Luzern, Swiss, No. X, Tourbillon Garde Temps, completed in July 1983. Very fine 18K gold and enamel, keyless pocket lever chronometer with one minute tourbillon regulator, Watch Rate Certificate No. 22563, from the Controle Officiel Suisse des Chronometres, La Chaux-de- Fonds, delivered on April 6, 1983, with mention: "Especially good results", in original mahogany fitted box with certificate No. 39 and Watch Rate Certificate.

CHF 120,000 - 140,000

C. Three piece, massive, "bassine et filets" with engraved band, light grey flinques crewed back. D. Silver engine-turned with Roman numerals on a small polished chapter ring, outer Arabic minute ring on border of the bezel, offset subsidiary seconds and half moon 48 hour Up-and-Down scale above the hour chapter ring. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Glazed 22 "' , rhodium plated, "fausses cotes" decoration, 15 jewels in gold settings, lateral lever escapement, two-arm compensation balance with gold timing screws, free sprung Breguet balance spring. One minute revolving tourbillon carriage with three equidistant polished steel arms. Signed on the dial and movement. Diam. 56,5 mm.


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Grading System
Case: 1

As new
Movement: *1

As new

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 1-01

As new

HANDS Original

Notes

This chronometer is based on the Ebauche which established the unsurpassed world record of reliability and precision at the Observatory and has been individually made, using as far as possible, the original methods and machines. Some of these machines date well before 1870 and are museum pieces in their own right. However, they have been lovingly restored by Thomas Engel who had to relearn the traditional skills, since their method of operation had been lost many years ago. Timing contest Mean daily rate in the different position + 2.5 Mean variation 0.24 Maximum variation 0.4 Difference between flat and hanging positions + 2.2 Greatest difference between the mean daily rate and any individual rate 1.7 Variation of rate per 1° centigrade + 0.08 Secondary error - 1.9 Rate resuming - 0.4