ALBERT H. POTTER & CO., A silver half-hunting cased pocket chronometer, no. 82, Geneva, circa 1885

heavy nickel-silver movement, Potter's patented pivoted detent escapement, some jewels carried in screwed gold chatons, bi-metallic compensation balance, palladium helical balance spring, free sprung, white enamel dial signed Albert Potter, roman numerals, subsidiary seconds, later polished case, the lid repeated with roman numerals enameled in blue, dial signed, movement signed Felipe Hecht, later case stamped with maker's mark ATO (A.T. Oliver), case hallmarked, London, 1931.

Time Museum Inventory No. 226

Randall, cat. no. 136

Albert H. Potter was born in Saratoga County, New York in 1830 and served his apprenticeship in Albany.  In 1855, he established himself in New York City.  He spent five years working in Cuba and later returned to the United States and organized a watch company with his brother William Cleveland Potter.

In 1876, he moved to Geneva where he produced approximately 600 watches.  His complicated watches sold for prices beginning at $250.

Potter remains the most celebrated American maker of pocket chronometers.  The present example incorporates many features unique to Potter's production including his patented safety barrel, his own form of pivoted detent, the arrangement of the passing spring and his method of securing the movement in the case.

The signature on the movement is a mystery; it has been suggested that it is that of the first owner.