Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 31, 1998

LOT 117

Auguste Berthoud, No. 178, circa 1840. Fine and probably unique mahogany experimental marine chronometer "en forme de tabatiere".

CHF 35,000 - 40,000

C. Double body mahogany box with slide on the lid over the observation aperture. Brass gimball with a ladded bowl. Brass case "en forme de tabatiere " , similar to that used by Louis Berthoud for his later chronometer. D. Silvered regulator type, similar to that used by Louis Berthoud, with small Roman chapter ring for hours, subsidiary seconds below, outer Arabic minute ring on the border of the bezel. Blued steel Breguet hands. M. Brass, full plate with steel conical pillars secured by nuts with washers. Fusee with chain, maintaining power, spring detent escapement, three-arm compensation balance, with three trapezoidal weights and timing screws, blued steel helical balance spring. Signed on the dial. Dial diam. 80 mm. Dim. 14 x 16 x 16 cm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 1-21

As new

Period
Movement: 2*

Very good

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

Very good

HANDS Original

Notes

Although it is similar to most of the other marine chronometers made by Charles-Auguste Berthoud, this chronometer was fitted with a spring detent escapement in place of the usual pivoted detent, similar to that made by his father Louis Berthoud. The back plate was pierced to allow one to see the functions of this unusual spring detent escapement. No other chronometer by this maker, fitted with a spring detent escapement, is known to exist. Charles-Auguste Berthoud (1798-1876) Was born in Argenteuil on November 17, 1798. He was one of the youngest pupils at the Ecole d'Arts-et-Metiers of Compiegne, which was transferred to Chftlons-sur-Marne in 1806. Together with his elder brother, Louis Simon Henri Berthoud, Charles-Auguste was taught the art of precision watchmaking by his father, Pierre-Louis Berthoud; when the latter died at the end 1813, it was his foreman, Jean-Francois Henri Motel, who continued to teach the boys. Having finished his apprenticeship, Charles-Auguste Berthoud became in charge of his late father's workshop in Argenteuil, while his brother managed the shop in Paris. The work of the two Berthoud boys was already highly praised at the Exposition des f wduits de l'indusirle fraucaise in 1819, and they were awarded a silver medal at the exhibitions of 1823 and 1827. No longer in partnership with his brother, Charles-Auguste was then awarded a gold medal at the 1834 exhibition and, in 1839, was appointed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Trade to succeed to Perrelet as the head of a school of precision watchmaking. At the 1844 exhibition, he was commended for his teachings at the school and received a confirmation of his gold medal, which he received again at the 1849 exhibition when he was also named Chevalier de la Legion d'hoiot.ecr. Charles-Auguste Berthoud was a sober man who enjoyed a quiet family life. During his working career, he produced some 350 marine chronometers and a few pocket chronometers. Unfortunately, sorrow for the death of loved ones was to fill his later years and he died on February 15, 1876.