F E ROSKOPF. Switzerland
Interesting Patent pin-pallet lever watch, circa 1910.
£295.00
Finely detailed base metal double back case, the cuvette (dome) with note of medals awarded in Paris in 1929, Liege in 1930 and Milan in 1906, the rear cover with the coat-of-arms of Belgium surrounded by nine shields showing the main Cantons of Belgium, the front bezel with the words: L’HEURE NATIONALE BELGE. Typical late Roskopf three-quarter plate keyless movement with visible winding wheels, stamped with its Swiss Patent and its Paris award made at the Exposition Universelle in 1900. Pin-pallet detached lever escapement with steel upright pins acting on a steel escape. Plain balance, spiral balance-spring. Signed two-colour enamel dial, ‘Louis’ style gilt hands. 54 mm diameter.
Fritz-Édouard Roskopf (1835-1927), continuing the production of watches designed by his father Georges-Frédéric Roskopf. The Geneva based company was set up by Fritz-Édouard in 1858, of which this model is thought to commemorate the introduction of ‘universal time’ in Belgium in 1892. This is a later example, the keyless work being of Swiss Patent design, No 18632 taken out in January 1899. See the book Pin Lever Watches by M Cutmore (Max Bacon) for a good history of these not uninteresting watches.
Dial with some faint hair cracks and the plain un-gilt brass movement now rather dull (it would improve with cleaning), the case in fine original condition. Serviced for its previous owner and working well, but can be freshly serviced if wanted. NB: Similar examples have made as much as 2500 Euros at auction (Dr Crott, November 2015, Lot 271), this watch being offered at a much lower price.
Item available
Description
Finely detailed base metal double back case, the cuvette (dome) with note of medals awarded in Paris in 1929, Liege in 1930 and Milan in 1906, the rear cover with the coat-of-arms of Belgium surrounded by nine shields showing the main Cantons of Belgium, the front bezel with the words: L’HEURE NATIONALE BELGE. Typical late Roskopf three-quarter plate keyless movement with visible winding wheels, stamped with its Swiss Patent and its Paris award made at the Exposition Universelle in 1900. Pin-pallet detached lever escapement with steel upright pins acting on a steel escape. Plain balance, spiral balance-spring. Signed two-colour enamel dial, ‘Louis’ style gilt hands. 54 mm diameter.
Fritz-Édouard Roskopf (1835-1927), continuing the production of watches designed by his father Georges-Frédéric Roskopf. The Geneva based company was set up by Fritz-Édouard in 1858, of which this model is thought to commemorate the introduction of ‘universal time’ in Belgium in 1892. This is a later example, the keyless work being of Swiss Patent design, No 18632 taken out in January 1899. See the book Pin Lever Watches by M Cutmore (Max Bacon) for a good history of these not uninteresting watches.
Dial with some faint hair cracks and the plain un-gilt brass movement now rather dull (it would improve with cleaning), the case in fine original condition. Serviced for its previous owner and working well, but can be freshly serviced if wanted. NB: Similar examples have made as much as 2500 Euros at auction (Dr Crott, November 2015, Lot 271), this watch being offered at a much lower price.
