PICARD FRERES & F. RUSER 18K 53.5mm Hunter Case Top Quality Dual Dial Triple Calendar Special Fine Regulation on Dial Yellow Gold Pocket Watch. Extremely Rare Mechanism.

Description

REMARKS: Incredible piece of antique horology that is one of the only watches of its kind in this Picard Freres & F. Russer 18K Soild Gold Pocket Watch having Double Dials with the back dial displaying Triple Calendar and Fine Regulator Gauge Functions.  It is exceedingly rare to find watches with double dials and this particular Picard Freres was also made as a top grade complicated watch having unique Triple Calendar function.  In addition, on the back dial at 12 o’clock the fine regulator gauge shows the status of regulation for the watch.  This function is unheard-of since fine regulation is almost certainly done on the top side of the movement on top of the balance bridge to regulate the timing accuracy and to see this gauge on the dial is certainly a very special attribute.  As the text ‘Brevete S.D.G.D. indicated on the back dial this was a patented design by Picard Freres.  From a technical standpoint the fine regulation is more easily be done directly on the back dial since it contains the complete triple calendar display and it would be hard for any watchmaker to remove all of the hands and dial in order to do timekeeping regulation on the movement without damaging these delicte parts.  Inside and out the entire watch is made with utmost quality that is representative of the best work from the Swiss valleys (Picard Freres is based in La-Chaux-de-Fonds).  From the style of the case and overall design this watch was probably made in the 1870-1880s.  Even the case opening was designed to allow both front and back covers to be opened by pressing the crown and this is controlled by turning the bow in opposite direction to allow the case spring to be clutched for opening of only one cover facing upward.  The time setting button is also under the control of the bow and this type of design is highly similar to Jules Jurgensen ‘bow-set’ mechanism.

CONDITION REPORT: Condition-wise the watch is running and all of the functions work as they should but we have not had the watch serviced therefore we do not make any guarantee.  The sole decision for maintenance rests with the end user/owner of this watch.  It is a blessing that the watch is working properly as it will be hard to find a watchmaker skilled enough to work on this watch without damaging it.  Cosmetically the watch is in mint condition for its age and it looks like it has been barely used in well over 100 years.  All of the case engine-turning engravings and coin edging are original and sharp to the touch.  Both front and back enamel dials are original ones and we don’t see any hairline crack or chip.  All of the 7 hands are original and in superb shape.  This was how the watch was first sold and today we still see it in this brilliant condition.  Diameter is 53.5mm, total weight 164g.

The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors (NAWCC) has a very interesting post describing the history of Picard Freres please view here: https://mb.nawcc.org/threads/picard-freres-f-busser-chaux-de-fonds.54281/