FRÉDÉRIC HOURIET | A VERY FINE SILVER POCKET CHRONOMETER1828, NO. 79

• Movement: gilded, spring detent escapement, large two-arm balance with two timing screws and two large wedge-shaped moveable weights, blued steel spherical spring, cylindrical pillars, fusee and chain with maintaining power• Dial: white enamel, Roman numerals, outer minute ring, subsidiary seconds, blued steel moon hands• Case: plain polished silver case and ring pendant, case maker's mark MF and numbered 8065 and 5853, slide beneath bezel marked A/M for arrêt / marche, gilt-metal cuvette with winding aperture, engraved with watch details and numbered 79

Antiquorum Geneva, 23 October 1999, lot 24

Jean-Claude Sabrier, Frédéric Houriet, The Father of Swiss Chronometry, 2006, p. 81 pl. 79

MVT: Not running at time of cataloguing. Chain is detatched from the barrel. CASE: In very good condition. The lips and bevels defined. Some light surface scratching visible throughout. Consistent with age and wear. DIAL: In good condition. Some light scratches visible. Please note that the movement has not been tested for the accuracy of time and may need a service at the buyer's expense. Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement and we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. You are advised that watch straps or bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator or crocodile) are not sold with the watch and we reserve the right to remove these straps or bands prior to shipping. Furthermore, the watch may not come with its original manufacturers strap or band. Prospective bidders should review the Conditions of Business, Authenticity Guarantee, the Guide for Prospective Buyers, and any Important Notice in the sale catalogue.
"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."

This silver chronometer although unsigned is attributed to the workshop of Jacques-Frédéric Houriet (1743-1830).  Houriet is known as one of the finest Swiss makers of watches.  During his career he apprenticed with such famed Parisian makers as Julien and Pierre Le Roy and Ferdinand Berthoud.  For a further discussion of Houriet see Pritchard, Swiss Timepiece Makers, 1775-1975, pp. 89-9 and Jean Claude Sabrier, Houriet the Father of Swiss Chronometry where the present watch no. 79 is illustrated and includes the text of a copy of instructions given to the buyer by Houriet at the time of its sale. The present watch includes Houriet’s spherical balance which he devised while experimenting with different balance forms when he worked on the subject of isochronism.