Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces

Hong Kong, Jul 09, 2016

LOT 230

URBAN JÜRGENSEN POCKET THERMOMETER SILVER Urban Jürgensen, Kiöbenhaven (Copenhagen). Made circa 1815. Interesting and rare early silver Réaumur pocket thermometer made to the design of Frederick Houriet.

HKD 16,000 - 32,000

USD 2,060 - 4,120 / CHF 2,025 - 4,070

Sold: HKD 22,500

Three-body, "forme collier", polished. White enamel with Réaumur scales with celsius/ fahrenheit indications. Blued steel hand. 26 ½ ''', gilt brass with bimetallic curb, rack-and- pinion transmission with coiled return spring, micrometrically adjustable lever mounted at the end of the rack acted upon by the curb.


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Grading System
Grade: AA

Very good
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

Dial signed. DIAM. 64 mm. This type of pocket thermometer was first made by FRÉDERIC HOURIET followed by URBAN JÜRGENSEN and ABRAHAM LOUIS BREGUET. It was described by Houriet in an advertising leaflet, unfortunately undated. The bimetallic thermometer device is extensively explained and illustrated by Urban Jürgensen in "Principes Généraux de l'Exacte Mesure du Temps par les Horloges", Copenhagen, 1805, pp. 245-253, pl. XIX. An almost identical thermometer signed `Fred Houriet` was sold by ANTIQUORUM, Geneva, October 11th, 2003. This watch is illustrated in The Jurgensen Dynasty by John Knudsen p. 129.