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Lot Essay
Albert H. Potter (1836-1908) was one of the greatest watchmakers of the second half of the 19th century and, together with Charles Fasoldt, the most renowned American watchmaker.
Born in upstate New York, he started his career as an apprentice with the watch manufacture Wood & Foley in Albany, NY. In 1855 Potter established his own business in New York City and designed and manufactured watches, apparently not more than around 35 examples, but all of very high quality.
Despite his successful business, he moved to Havana in 1861 and launched a small but again flourishing watch making and repairing shop.
Following his return to the US in 1866, Potter spent several creative years during which he further improved his ideas and patented some. Between August and October 1875, he submitted five of his inventions to the US Patent office, including his trademark depicting the also patented compensation balance with auxiliary middle temperature error attachment, a safety barrel, the pivoted detent escapement and a watch plate design.
In 1875 Potter moved to Geneva where he produced the majority of his renowned watches by implementing his ideas and inventions developed since the beginning of his career.
The present watch is fitted with two of his patented inventions, the design of the watch plate and especially the pivoted detent escapement, base of his famous chronometer movements.
For a note on Albert Potter and illustration of a similar watch movement see the Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, pp. 248 & 249.
Born in upstate New York, he started his career as an apprentice with the watch manufacture Wood & Foley in Albany, NY. In 1855 Potter established his own business in New York City and designed and manufactured watches, apparently not more than around 35 examples, but all of very high quality.
Despite his successful business, he moved to Havana in 1861 and launched a small but again flourishing watch making and repairing shop.
Following his return to the US in 1866, Potter spent several creative years during which he further improved his ideas and patented some. Between August and October 1875, he submitted five of his inventions to the US Patent office, including his trademark depicting the also patented compensation balance with auxiliary middle temperature error attachment, a safety barrel, the pivoted detent escapement and a watch plate design.
In 1875 Potter moved to Geneva where he produced the majority of his renowned watches by implementing his ideas and inventions developed since the beginning of his career.
The present watch is fitted with two of his patented inventions, the design of the watch plate and especially the pivoted detent escapement, base of his famous chronometer movements.
For a note on Albert Potter and illustration of a similar watch movement see the Camerer Cuss Book of Antique Watches, pp. 248 & 249.