Live Auction 1348Important Pocket Watches and Wristwatches
Ernest Guinand. A fine and rare 18K gold hunter case keyless pocket chronometer with one minute tourbillon, made for the South American Market
Lot 257

Ernest Guinand. A fine and rare 18K gold hunter case keyless pocket chronometer with one minute tourbillon, made for the South American Market

MOVEMENT ATTRIBUTED TO ERNEST GUINAND, LE LOCLE, CASE NO. 41627, CIRCA 1875

Closed12 November 2007

Price Realised

CHF 49,000

Considering selling a similar item?

Discover its value with a complimentary estimate from our specialists.

More Information

How to sell

Ernest Guinand. A fine and rare 18K gold hunter case keyless pocket chronometer with one minute tourbillon, made for the South American Market
Movement attributed to Ernest Guinand, Le Locle, case no. 41627, circa 1875
With nickel-finished jewelled movement, pivoted detent escapement, large bimetallic compensation balance with gold poising screws, blued steel balance spring with overcoil, one minute tourbillon regulator with Ernest Guinand's first type polished steel three-arm carriage, screwed gold chatons, glazed dust cover, the white enamel dial with Roman numerals, blued steel spade hands, subsidiary seconds, in circular case with finely engraved foliage and scroll decoration, similarly decorated bow, engraved initials to the front, case numbered
54 mm. diam.

Specialist note

Ernest Guinand (c1810-1879) was an important master watchmaker from Le Locle, who, together with the famous Auguste Grether, specialized in the production of tourbillon carriages.

According to the records of the Neuchâtel Observatory, Guinand's first tourbillons were made between 1865 and 1867. Many of them were tested at the Observatory, amongst which two were awarded the second and third prizes in the 1879 contest, Category C for pocket chronometers featuring bascule (lever) escapements.

Although his carriages were often not signed, they are easily identified by their distinctive A-shaped frames (see Reinhard Meis Das Tourbillon, p. 43, Z44 "Guinand 1"). They were mostly fitted with pivoted detent escapements, such as the present watch, some with lever escapements.

Guinand supplied his tourbillons to renowned watchmakers such as Girard-Perregaux and Montandon but was supposedly also commissioned by Patek Philippe with the design of their first tourbillon regulator in 1864.