DESCRIPTION:
EPW - Jules Jurgensen, Copenhagen, ultra-thin pocket chronometer with spring detent escapement and spherical hairspring, 45mm, 5.7mm front to rear thickness with crystal included, 18K gold OF original case with elegant engraving inside rear of a poem and a 1903 presentation, engine turned silver dial with seconds-register at 10, signature at upper portion above off-center timekeeping chapter, KWKS via a male key, spring detent escapement, free-sprung balance with spherical hairspring, snailed nickel damascene, s#15438 with matching serial number to cuvette. Comes with a 14K gold key as pictured. Gross weight of assembled watch 25.9 dwt (40.3 g). An exceedingly rare, if not unique, piece; the present watch is unlike any other Jules Jurgensen we have handled or encountered. Even extending beyond Jurgensen products this remains by far the thinnest watch from any maker we have observed with detent escapement and spherical hairspring. Notably this watch also employs the use of a spring detent escapement, as opposed to the pivoted detent style typical of Jules Jurgensen pocket chronometers. Happily this watch has been well cared for throughout its full lifetime as its delicate balance and escapement remain in superb functional condition, but it is important to emphasize the delicacy of this piece as the balance and escapement would likely not survive any mishandling. Our watchmaker notes that the balance assembly and the detent assembly of this watch should always be removed prior to any disassembly, as even the simple act of removing or pressing on the hands could potentially put these components out of order. Please see our photos for several disassembly views of the watch, and we note the presence of "L J" initials under the dial which we believe likely identify this masterpiece as the work of Swiss watchmaker Louis Jaquet, who is described on the website of The British Museum (https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/term/BIOG72470) as having "First worked for Patek Philippe in Geneva and then moved to his father's musical clock manufacturers. He founded his own company in c.1890 which specialized in making small watches and also ball watches in different sizes." In all, this watch is undoubtedly the most unusual Jules Jurgensen our firm has had the pleasure of handling and is absolutely a treasure for the collector of unusual Jurgensen watches!
CONDITION:
Mvt: Running, virtually mint cosmetic mvt condition overall, bright lustrous surfaces, few negligible small micro-fine scratches; dial with some darkening, scattered micro-fine scratches, Jules Jurgensen signature is faded but remains legible; nearly mint hands; case shows very light wear, soft ding toward lower-right perimeter of rear, ding to edge of rear adjacent left side of hinge, engine turning detail reduced at shoulder; tight bow; good glass crystal.
ESTIMATE:
$10000
-
$20000
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