Swiss, attributed to Henchoz Frères. A very fine and rare 18K gold openface keywound pocket chronometer with regulator-style dial and tourbillon

With fitted wooden presentation box containing a spare crystal.

The present watch is a fine example of a one minute tourbillon pocket chronometer most certainly made by Henchoz Frères of Le Locle. Although unsigned, its three-armed tourbillon carriage with its frame consisting of a continuous two-part polished steel ring is comparable to the examples illustrated in Reinhard Meis Das Tourbillon, p. 45, pl. Z55, and pp. 157 - 159. Tourbillon carriages by Henchoz Frères were furthermore always fitted with a chronometer escapement.

Reinhard Meis furthermore states that it is believed that the renowned Albert Pellaton-Favre initially supplied tourbillon carriages to Henchoz Frères, regrettably no written evidence for this assumption is available

Active in Le Locle in the second half of the 19th century, Henchoz Frères were renowned for their high quality precision watches, particularly chronometers with tourbillon which regularly participated at the Neuchâtel Observatory timing contests.

The engine-turned border of the cuvette is a signature feature for watches made in Le Locle at the time.