Important Watches, Wristwatches and C...

Geneva, Hotel Des Bergues, Oct 31, 1998

LOT 122

Frederic Houriet, No. 78P, Swiss, made for H. Laresche, Galerie de Vallois, No. 164, A. Paris, No. 1271 & 4, circa 1820. Very fine and rare silver pocket chronometer.

CHF 35,000 - 40,000

Sold: CHF 46,000

C. Three body, massive, "forme quatre baguettes " , engine-turned. Hinged gilt brass cuvette. D. White enamel with Roman numerals, outer minute ring and sunk subsidiary seconds. Blued steel hands. M. 22 "' , frosted and gilt, three-quarter plate, with cylindrical pillars secured by screws, the back plate indented for the barrel secures by a bridge, the fusee with chain and maintaining power, 13 jewels, spring detent escapement, two-arm compensation balance with two trapezoidal weights and timing screws, free sprung blued steel spherical balance spring. Signed on the cuvette, Houriet mark and number also punched on the front plate beneath the dial. Diam. 62 mm.


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Grading System
Grade:
Case: 4

Fair
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-04

Good

HANDS Later

Notes

The movement of this watch is typical of the work of Frederic Houriet. The calibre is similar to that used both by Houriet and by Urban Jiirgensen for the tourbillon made for Breguet. Almost all the pocket chronometers made by Frederic Houriet are only signed by the retailer, with the Houriet Master Mark and number only punched on the front plate and covered by the dial; this watch appears to be the first known to exist with the name and serial number of Houriet engraved on the cuvette together with that of the retailer. Henri Laresche, Galerie de Vallois, No. 164, a Paris, was known as a fine chronometer maker. In 1806 he restored and recased a unique watch, made by Pierre Le Roy in 1774 a l'usage des astronoines et des rnadins. He was succeeded by his son towards 1820.