Live Auction 1383Important Watches
White. An unusual and rare silver openface with six minute flying tourbillon and original box
Lot 341

White. An unusual and rare silver openface with six minute flying tourbillon and original box

SIGNED JOSEPH WHITE & SON, MAKERS TO THE ADMIRALTY, COVENTRY & LONDON, NO. 39449, RETAILED BY D. NORRIS, UNICO AGENTE PARA BRAZIL, STAMPED WITH LONDON DATE LETTER FOR 1912

Closed14 November 2011

Price Realised

CHF 13,750

Considering selling a similar item?

Discover its value with a complimentary estimate from our specialists.

More Information

How to sell

White. An unusual and rare silver openface with six minute flying tourbillon and original box
Signed Joseph White & Son, Makers to the Admiralty, Coventry & London, No. 39449, retailed by D. Norris, Unico Agente para Brazil, stamped with London date letter for 1912
Gilt-finished three quarter plate jewelled lever movement, screwed gold chatons, blued screws, gilt flying tourbillon carriage, bimetallic compensation balance with gold poising screws, free sprung regulator with diamond endstone, silver cuvette, white enamel dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, plain circular case, large gold crown, pink gold hinge to the back and pink gold lips to bezel and back, case numbered and stamped with casemaker's initials W.B and London date letter for 1912, dial signed by maker, movement signed by maker and retailer
59 mm. diam.

Specialist note

With original fitted three-tier mahogany box containing two spare crystals, the bone plaque to the top inscribed Joseph White & Son, Coventry, London, 39449.

The flying tourbillon is a variation of the tourbillon invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet. It has the same single driving force of a tourbillon but rather than being supported by a bridge or cock at both top and bottom, it is cantilevered, being only supported from one side, hence the designation "flying".

It is interesting to note that Joseph White's flying tourbillon watches no. 38713 and 38715, identical to the present one and also retailed by D. Norris, Unico Agente para Brazil, were sold in this saleroom on 13 November 2006, lot 99, and on 15 November 2010, lot 248.

Joseph White & Son were located in Earlsdon outside of Coventry and active from the late 19th until early 20th century. The firm specialized in the manufacture of deck watches and chronometers, specifically for the admiralty.