4,600 CHF
Brinkman, London, No. 4321, hallmarked 1832-33.Fine and rare 18K gold quarter-repeating watch with early Prest keyless winding system and ruby duplex escapement. Three-body, by "CAP" (Charles Auguste Petterman), "bassine et filets", engine-turned with polished bezel. Gold, Roman numerals, outer minute track, engine-turned center, subsidiary seconds. Blued steel "fleur-de-lis" hands. 43 mm., 3/4-plate, frosted gilt, 12 jewels, ruby duplex escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, flat balance spring, Prest winding system with visible wheels on the back plate.Signed on the movement.Diam. 52 mm. Notes George BrinkmanIs known to have favored keyless systems; he used pump winding mechanisms, as well as Prest' s winding mechanism.Thomas PrestWas foreman of John Roger Arnold's workshop. On October 20, 1820, he obtained patent No. 4501 for a keyless mechanism which Arnold used on occasion, as early as 1820. However, perhaps due to British conservatism, watches equipped with it did not become popular until the end of the 19th century.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2003-04-12
