234,500 CHF
Charles Henri Grosclaude & Fils, Fleurier, Suisse, No. 3944/26177, circa 1865. Very fine and rare 18K gold and enamel keyless minute tourbillion regulator watch with reversed fusee and special patented winding and setting mechanism. Four-body, "bassine et filets", back engine-turned and centered with enameled initials, reeded bezels and band, gold hinged glazed cuvette. Silver, Roman numerals, outer minute track, center with applied gold basket of flowers, outermost with applied gold scrolling decoration. Blued steel "fleur-de-lis" hands. 45 mm. (20’’’), frosted gilt, reversed fusee and chain, maintaining power, mainspring barrel and fusee under one bridge, tourbillon carriage similar to that of Guinand and Grether, lateral calibrated lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with blued steel Breguet balance spring, rare winding/setting mechanism patented by O. Courvoisier, English patent No. 1114 of 1873 with setting bolt on the band at 1 o’clock. Signed on the dial, punched with makers trademark "CH G&F" inside back cover. Diam. 55 mm. Notes The carriage, with arrows and a heart at the three terminals, appears to be of Grosclaude’s own design. The reversed fusee (not to be confused with inverse fusee) was first employed by Mudge in order to decrease wear on the center wheel bushing; it is very rarely found in Swiss watches. Its use can be explained by the fact that Grosclaude was primarily a chronometer maker. The use of the Courvoisier winding/settin
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2002-10-19