Urban Jürgensen & Sønner Copenhagen/Derek Pratt

• highly jewelled manual winding movement with pivoted detent escapement, (ebauche by Louise Elysée Piguet), bi-metallic compensation balance, wolf-tooth winding, two hammers repeating on two gongs • silver engine-turned dial satin-finished chapter ring with black Roman numerals, subsidiary dials for day, month, date and constant seconds combined with aperture for moon-phases • gold Breguet hands • 18k yellow gold plain hunting case, repeating slide to the band, gold cuvette and knuckle hinge• case, dial and movement signed 

 

The movement is running at the time of cataloguing. The dial is in excellent condition. The case has scratches throughout which is consistent with the age of the watch. The watch has not been tested to determine the accuracy of its timekeeping. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and that a service may be required at the buyer's discretion.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Accompanied by a copy of  M.R. John Knudsen, The Jürgensen Dynasty, 2013 and a copy of the Urban Jürgensen companycatalogue c. 1992

For complicated Urban Jurgensen Sønner pocket watches see, Derek Pratt FBHI Watchmaker British Horological Institute Ltd 2011, p. 102 and John M.R. Knudsen, The Jürgensen Dynasty, 2013, pp. 322-323

The esteemed watch maker Derek Pratt finished and regulated the movement and hand engine-turned the dial of the present lot in the Urban Jurgensen Sønner workshop in the 1980’s.

Of particular note is the complex moon display which required more than 20 operations to produce the blued steel ground and includes two inserted gold moon discs with gold stars that have been individually punched.

According to company documents, only five pocket watches with perpetual calendar, minute repeater and subsidiary dial indications were made. This is the only perpetual calendar watch with detent escapement. Each piece is unique, and handmade by the firm.