Lot 84
  • 84

Barraud & Lunds, London

Estimate
1,200 - 1,800 GBP
Log in to view results
bidding is closed

Description

  • AN INNOVATIVE GOLD OPEN-FACED LEVER WATCH WITH DETACHABLE KNURLED WINDER1870, NO. 2/9743
  • gold, enamel, gilt metal
  • diameter 51 mm
• gilt three quarter plate movement, lever escapement, free-sprung bi-metallic compensation balance, spring with terminal curve, diamond endstone, decoratively engraved balance cock and barrel cap, fusee and chain • 18k yellow gold cuvette with winding apertures • white enamel dial, Roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, gold fleur-de-lys hands • 18k yellow gold case, the back and bezel with engine-turned decoration, plain pendant and bow, case hallmarked for London 1870, with maker's mark AS for Alfred Stram • dial and movement signed and numbered Barraud & Lunds, London 2/9743

Literature

Terence Camerer Cuss, The English Watch 1585-1970, pp. 406-407, pl. 260. 

Catalogue Note

John Alexander Lund joined Barraud & Lunds in 1864.  He patented a form of keyless winding in March 1870, patent number 914.  The keyless watch was by now very much in demand. However, Lund, like other English makers, was loathe to give up the superior timekeeping qualities of the fusee despite the fact that its use in a keyless watch which was inclined to give problems.  As a result, Lund's solution was to patent a winding and hand-set key which had the appearance of a keyless button; he located it this in the pendant in the normal position, but made it detachable.   This solution enabled the wearer to appear in fashion while at the same time retaining a watch with the timekeeping qualities of the fusee.  

It would seem that the patent was not a commercial success, given the lack of surviving examples. 

For more on John Alexander Lund and his contributions to horology see, Jagger, Paul Philip BarraudAntiquarian Horlogical Society, p.68.