3,680 CHF
Père Bouhelier, No. 773, French Franche- Comtée, circa 1810. Rare silver, quarter repeating watch with a special caliber and escapement. Three body, "forme quatre baguettes" polished with reeded band. Gilt brass hinged cuvette. White enamel with Breguet numerals. Later gilt hands. Notes Père Bouhelier wasnativetoSallntju ien,asmall village near Charquemont,inFranche Comté where the name was very conunon. Although mostly farmers, the population made cylinder escapements in winter tune, for both the French and the Swiss makers. It is interesting to note that the few watches, known from this maker are all constructed with this very unusual caliber and all set with the sanie type of straight line lever escapement. As Père Bouhelier was a priest who emigrated to England during the French Revolution, it iscertainlyduingthisenforced exilethat he learned houe to make the lever escapements.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1991-10-20
