![ALBERT H. POTTER & CO., GENEVA [ Albert H. Potter & Co.，日內瓦] | A RARE GOLD HUNTING CASED KEYLESS POCKET CHRONOMETER CIRCA 1885, NO. 85 [ 罕有黃金精密計時懷錶，年份約1885，編號85]](https://dam.sothebys.com/dam/image/lot/2f96fd5d-24d9-4762-9835-b2fadd355718/primary/extra_small)
Masterworks of Time: Abraham Louis Breguet, Horologist Extraordinaire 「時間傑作——阿伯拉罕・路易・寶璣：鐘錶鬼才」
Masterworks of Time: Abraham Louis Breguet, Horologist Extraordinaire 「時間傑作——阿伯拉罕・路易・寶璣：鐘錶鬼才」
![View full screen - View 1 of Lot 12. ALBERT H. POTTER & CO., GENEVA [ Albert H. Potter & Co.，日內瓦] | A RARE GOLD HUNTING CASED KEYLESS POCKET CHRONOMETER CIRCA 1885, NO. 85 [ 罕有黃金精密計時懷錶，年份約1885，編號85].](https://sothebys-md.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ca97591/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2000x1826+0+0/resize/385x352!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fsothebys-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fmedia-desk%2F13%2Fd4%2Fe134a92d4560a9b50e8d530efef1%2F046n10397-b2b46-3.jpg)
ALBERT H. POTTER & CO., GENEVA [ Albert H. Potter & Co.，日內瓦] | A RARE GOLD HUNTING CASED KEYLESS POCKET CHRONOMETER CIRCA 1885, NO. 85 [ 罕有黃金精密計時懷錶，年份約1885，編號85]
Lot Closed
June 16, 02:17 PM GMT
Estimate
6,000 - 8,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
ALBERT H. POTTER & CO., GENEVA
[ Albert H. Potter & Co.，日內瓦]
A RARE GOLD HUNTING CASED KEYLESS POCKET CHRONOMETER
CIRCA 1885, NO. 85
[ 罕有黃金精密計時懷錶，年份約1885，編號85]
• Movement: nickel movement with damascened plates and bridges, Potter's patented pivoted detent escapement and bridge layout, large free-sprung bi-metallic compensation balance, blued steel helical spring, barrel bridge signed Albert H. Potter & Co. Geneva and marked Pat. Oct. 11.75, the balance cock engraved Escapement Pat. Oct. 11.75, the main plate engraved Plate desn Pat. Jan. 4.76, train bridge numbered 85
• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, large sunken subsidiary seconds, blued steel moon hands, signed Albert H. Potter & Co., Geneva
• Case: 18ct gold, engine-turned covers, polished band, snap-on glazed cuvette, gold pendant and bow, case back numbered 68709, 137
diameter 54.5mm
To view shipping calculator, please click here
Albert Potter is considered one of the finest American chronometer makers, and the present lot exemplifies his mechanical ingenuity. The watch features several of Potter's exceptional designs, such as his pivoted detent escapement, which contains a special arrangement for the spring in order to make the passing action as smooth as possible. His design for the balance, which he patented on 11 October 1875, sees a single pin set into the end of the escape wheel cock, providing banking for the detent. This makes an adjustment for locking unnecessary. This piece also showcases Potter's plate design, which allows the wearer to more easily set the train. He patented this design on January 4th, 1875.
Although not stamped with Potter's trademark, the case of the present lot typifies Potter's style. It was likely exported to America and cased there in order to avoid the high tariffs on Swiss-made gold cases imported into the United States.