SIMON VISSIÈRE, LE HÂVRE, NO.173. CIRCA 1865/70

Details

A Napoleon III mahogany and brass-mounted two-day marine chronometer
Simon Vissière, Le Hâvre, No.173. Circa 1865/70
BOX: three-tier with external brass drop-down handles, brass diamond escutcheon to double-throw lock, interior with three paper retail/repair labels; brass bowl and gimbal, bowl with spring-loaded winding cover, brass bezel with flat glass; inside of bowl and bezel numbered 173; box key
DIAL: white enamel and of regulator format, outer minute ring with blued steel Breguet type hand, hour ring at 45 (later hand), seconds at 15 and up/down sector calibrated to 49 at 30, signed VISSIÈRE/AU HÂVRE (SEINE INFÈRIEURE)/N0.173, also numbered 173 to reverse
MOVEMENT: with four tapering pillars with polished steel screws to plain top plate signed VISSIÈRE/NO.173, reversed chain fusee with maintaining power
ESCAPEMENT: Earnshaw type; flat strip steel detent with jewelled locking stone to side of banking block; cut bimetallic balance with cylindrical heat compensation weights, steel helical spring; tipsy key
165 mm. square box, 75 mm. diameter dial

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price and at 15% on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

Simon Vissière (1822-1887) is recorded at 31 Rue des Drapiers, Havre, Seine 1851-1871. A pupil of Winnerl, Vissière patented a chronometer balance in 1867. That same year he established his workshop in Le Havre, where he constructed a small observatory in his home. Chronometers 124, 175 and 216 also had 'regulator' dials. The latter was sold these rooms 2 July 2004, lot 23.

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