204,250 CHF
Ferdinand Berthoud, Montre Astronomique No. 3, constructed for him by his pupil and unique collaborator Jean Martin in 1806, following the model of that No. 73, invented by Ferdinand Berthoud in 1775, but at a reduced scale. Extremely fine and unique silver Astronomical watch with centre-seconds and balance amplitude indication, made for M. Chaptal, the celebrated physician and politician . Four body, Empire with reeded band by Tavernier (Master mark), No. 2591, the polished back engraved with the crest of Jean Antoine Claude Chaptal, Comte de Chanteloup. Silver cuvette. Small eccentric silver chapter with Roman numerals and outer Arabic minute ring, silver Arabic seconds chapter ring on the border of the bezel. Frosted and gilt dial plate with grazed aperture for the balance amplitude indication, engraved: " Montre Astronomique No. 3, Ferdinand Berthoud Invenit 1775, Réduite et Exécutée par Jean Martin An 1806". blued-steel Breguet hands with skeletonised tips. Notes This watch \vas described by Ferdinand Berthoud himself, in his Supplément au Traité des Montres à Longitudes, 1807, pp. 29-31. It vvas also described in : Ferdinand Berthoud- 1727 - 1807, Horloger Mécanicien du Roi et de la Marine, published by the Musée International d'Horlogerie de la Chaux-de-fonds, in the catalogue of the Exhibition, pp. 224-225. This watch was made by Jean Martin in 1806 following the model of No. 73, but at a reduced scale. Berthoud had originally intended to use watch No.72 as
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
1993-11-14
