Swiss rough movement – probably Le COULTRE
Good quality keyless movement for the English market, circa 1875.
£75.00
Slim three-quarter plate keyless going-barrel movement jewelled to the centre, complete with all the train, the escapement and the distinctive keyless work. English style of single-roller detached lever escapement with ratchet-tooth escape, the roller with triangular jewel. Compensation balance, balance-spring with overcoil. 36 mm diameter.
This form of movement, which I associate with the Swiss firm of Le Coultre, was a common import into the English market – note the diamond pattern of keyless work screws showing on the top plate. Many such movements were ‘scaped and dialled in the UK but this looks to have been imported in its present finished and ticking state.
The Le Sentier based firm of Le Coultre are one of the most important of the period supplying most of the repeating movements cased up and sold in the English market during the second half of the 19th century. This was primarily due to the fact that in 1870 Le Coultre were the first to offer cheaper ‘machine-made’ keyless repeating movements utilising interchangeable parts, though my work in repair and restoration throws some doubt on just how interchangeable the parts really were. One noticeable feature of these movements, often incorrectly sold as English work, is the distinctive diamond pattern on the top plate of blued and polished steel parts holding the keyless work adjacent to the stem.
In good original condition but with heavily oiled (WD40?) balance-spring, possibly hiding some corrosion. Not broken and looking to be complete, but sold as needing at least a service in order to run properly.
Item available
Description
Slim three-quarter plate keyless going-barrel movement jewelled to the centre, complete with all the train, the escapement and the distinctive keyless work. English style of single-roller detached lever escapement with ratchet-tooth escape, the roller with triangular jewel. Compensation balance, balance-spring with overcoil. 36 mm diameter.
This form of movement, which I associate with the Swiss firm of Le Coultre, was a common import into the English market – note the diamond pattern of keyless work screws showing on the top plate. Many such movements were ‘scaped and dialled in the UK but this looks to have been imported in its present finished and ticking state.
The Le Sentier based firm of Le Coultre are one of the most important of the period supplying most of the repeating movements cased up and sold in the English market during the second half of the 19th century. This was primarily due to the fact that in 1870 Le Coultre were the first to offer cheaper ‘machine-made’ keyless repeating movements utilising interchangeable parts, though my work in repair and restoration throws some doubt on just how interchangeable the parts really were. One noticeable feature of these movements, often incorrectly sold as English work, is the distinctive diamond pattern on the top plate of blued and polished steel parts holding the keyless work adjacent to the stem.
In good original condition but with heavily oiled (WD40?) balance-spring, possibly hiding some corrosion. Not broken and looking to be complete, but sold as needing at least a service in order to run properly.
