NICOLE NIELSEN ‘Patent’ No 9492, for HARDY Brothers, London
Fine single chronograph by the true inventors of this most useful ‘complication’
£3,495.00
Heavy gold crystal (flat glass) case with barrel edge hallmarked 1884, sponsor’s mark CN/EN (Charles Nicole & Emil Nielsen), the snap-on engine-turned rear cover with discrete dedication inside. Typical keyless three-quarter plate movement jewelled to the 3rd, with cap jewels on balance, lever and escape. Double-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, balance-spring with double overcoil. Signed enamel dial in perfect condition, with its full set of original blued-steel hands. 52 mm diameter.
Hardy Brothers, Australian retailers with outlets in Sydney and Brisbane, but unusually using the London name on this watch – no doubt as an indication of quality and to help sales.
Adolphe Nicole, Patent No 10,348 of October 1844, includes the first commercially successful keyless work for both going-barrel and fusee watches, as well as the ‘heart shaped cam’ controller for true, start/stop/return to zero, chronographs. Joined by Danish born watchmaker Emil Nielsen, becoming Nicole Nielsen & Co by 1876, the firm were the foremost London watchmakers of the second half of the 19th century, supplying many of the finest chronographs and other complicated watches to retailers such as Frodsham, Dent, Smith & Son, etc.
NB: Always called ‘single’ chronographs by the makers, the term ‘double’ chronograph was used if the watch had a minute counter, and ‘triple’ chronographs if they also had an hour counter.
Not mint, but in fine little worn condition with the engine-turning showing just light wear at its outside edge. The dial, hands and movement almost as new. Serviced and guaranteed.
Item available
Description
Heavy gold crystal (flat glass) case with barrel edge hallmarked 1884, sponsor’s mark CN/EN (Charles Nicole & Emil Nielsen), the snap-on engine-turned rear cover with discrete dedication inside. Typical keyless three-quarter plate movement jewelled to the 3rd, with cap jewels on balance, lever and escape. Double-roller detached lever escapement. Compensation balance, balance-spring with double overcoil. Signed enamel dial in perfect condition, with its full set of original blued-steel hands. 52 mm diameter.
Hardy Brothers, Australian retailers with outlets in Sydney and Brisbane, but unusually using the London name on this watch – no doubt as an indication of quality and to help sales.
Adolphe Nicole, Patent No 10,348 of October 1844, includes the first commercially successful keyless work for both going-barrel and fusee watches, as well as the ‘heart shaped cam’ controller for true, start/stop/return to zero, chronographs. Joined by Danish born watchmaker Emil Nielsen, becoming Nicole Nielsen & Co by 1876, the firm were the foremost London watchmakers of the second half of the 19th century, supplying many of the finest chronographs and other complicated watches to retailers such as Frodsham, Dent, Smith & Son, etc.
NB: Always called ‘single’ chronographs by the makers, the term ‘double’ chronograph was used if the watch had a minute counter, and ‘triple’ chronographs if they also had an hour counter.
Not mint, but in fine little worn condition with the engine-turning showing just light wear at its outside edge. The dial, hands and movement almost as new. Serviced and guaranteed.
