267,500 CHF
Albert H. Potter & Co, Geneva, No. 1, made circa 1887. Exceptional, highly important and unique 18K gold keyless watch with regulator dial, special winding/setting system, special plate construction and special single-tooth escape wheel lever escapement. Four-piece, "bassine et filets", polished, the band incorporated into the movement, pendant of patented design, detachable glazed cuvette. White enamel, mounted by three feet secured by screws from the pillar plate, double sunk with small radial Roman hour chapter set at the top, central outer minute divisions with radial five-minute Arabic markers, subsidiary sunk seconds. Blued steel "lozenge" hands. Notes Previously in the collection of the Director of the Geneva School of Horology.The present watch represents the ultimate in Potter design, based on years of experience.With the present watch, Potter wanted to revolutionize the modern watch, just as Lepine had done 100 years previously. This watch, marked No.1, appears to be a one-of-a-kind piece; no other is known to date. Potter's layout is ingenious and innovative. Potter revolutionized watch design twice; the first time when still in America, he designed and patented his famous plate designs, one for a lever escapement (see Antiquorum Nov. 11, 2001, lot 299), the other for his pivoted detent escapement (see Antiquorum Nov. 11, 2001, lot 298).After his arrival in Switzerland in 1875 his production was chiefly based on these two designs. Within a decade, he sou Read more…
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-11-16
