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Lot Essay
According to the Berthoud workbooks (see Jean-Claude Sabrier, La Longitude en mer a l'heure de Louis Berthoud et Henri Motel, Geneva, 1993, p. 537) this chronometer was sold on 25 Frimaire an XII (17 December 1803) for 2000 francs to the French Marine and it was subsequently bought back from the Marine and sold to Monsier Reverdi. It is originally described by Berthoud as having 'boete d'argent'; this suggests the chronometer was originally housed in a silver drum case (in the form of a tobacco box) and mounted within a gimbal within a mahogany box. It is likely this was replaced at some point by the French Marine, for the present 'deck watch style' arrangement.
A similarly-cased Berthoud chronometer, No. 93, originally sold in Year XIII was sold at Antiquorum, 10 April 1994, lot 196 (43,700 Swiss francs).
Pierre Louis (Louis) Berthoud (1754-1813) was apprenticed to his father Pierre (1740-1767) at twelve. His exceptional skills were recognized by his famous uncle, Ferdinand Berthoud (1727-1807), who brought him to Paris. Louis succeeded his uncle in 1807 as Horloger de la Marine until his death in 1813 when Motel, who had been his apprentice, took over. He was succeeded by his nephews Louis and Charles Auguste who also later became Horlogers de la Marine.
A similarly-cased Berthoud chronometer, No. 93, originally sold in Year XIII was sold at Antiquorum, 10 April 1994, lot 196 (43,700 Swiss francs).
Pierre Louis (Louis) Berthoud (1754-1813) was apprenticed to his father Pierre (1740-1767) at twelve. His exceptional skills were recognized by his famous uncle, Ferdinand Berthoud (1727-1807), who brought him to Paris. Louis succeeded his uncle in 1807 as Horloger de la Marine until his death in 1813 when Motel, who had been his apprentice, took over. He was succeeded by his nephews Louis and Charles Auguste who also later became Horlogers de la Marine.