165,750 CHF
Louis Berthoud No. 52, Montre Marine à suspension, boîte d'argent, sold to the Marine Department in Floréal an IX ( May 1801). Extremely rare and important silver historical marine chronometer, presented by the Premier Consul (Napoléon Bonaparte) to the Duc of Decres, on 11 Ventôse an 9 (2 March 1802) and by Decres to the Capitaine de Frégate Ponée in Marsh 1812, subsequently it was lent for a year to Jerôme Bonaparte, King of Westphalia. to be continuel White enamel regulator type with a small eccentric Roman chapter for hours, subsidiary seconds below, outer Arabic minute ring on the border of the bezel. Blued-steel Breguet hands. Frosted and gilt full plate, with conical pillars secured by blued-steel nuts with polished steel washers, fusee and chain with maintaining power, counterpoised straight line lever escapement with rollers on the balance staff. three-armed compensation balance with three weights,and three additional weights and platinum timing screws. Free-sprung blued-steel conical spring with adjustable collar. Signed on the back plate and the dial rim : "Par Ls. Berthoud No. 52" and on the dial : "Ls.Berthoud No. 52". In very good condition with original ratchet key. Diam. 65 mm. Dim. 123 x 123 x 74 mm. Notes Curiously, watch No. 52, fitted with this escapement satisfied him so well rght from the moment of its being rated that he could record in his workshop notebook 1 December 1800 'I believe it will turn out to be the best of my watches'. Three ye
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-11-14
