Pocket watch: extremely rare and very unusual, especially heavy French pocket chronometer in English construction, Poitevin Paris No.6744, hallmarks 1879

Ca. Ø61mm, ca. 227g, high-quality silver case with London hallmarks from 1879, matching number with the movement, dome signed and numbered, additional case number 36198, very fine chronometer movement in manner of Earnshaw, spring detent escapement, plate signed Poitevin Paris, unusual helical hairspring, probably made of palladium, signed original and numbered enamel dial in perfect condition, extraordinary and very massive gold hands, in very good condition, intact. This chronometer is very interesting because it is signed by an important French chronometer maker in Paris, but the construction is completely English and the case has London hallmarks as well. It can therefore be assumed that the chronometer was made in England on behalf of Poitevin. Bernard Poitevin worked as a Parisian watch and chronometer maker between 1850 and 1900. He founded the company B. Poitevin & V. Lejeune. His shop was located in Rue Richelieu (1850) and Rue Vivienne 22 (1860-1900). Poitevin supplied quality watches, watches with complications, such as watches with striking mechanism, chronographs and 1st class chronometers with bulletin from the Geneva Observatory.