Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds An important and legendary deck chronometer from the final series...
Gehäuse
Silver, screw back, glazed movement.|Very good.
Zifferblatt
Enamel.|Very good.
Werk
Bridge movement, lever escapement, Guillaume gold screw compensation balance, blued Breguet balance spring with terminal curve by Grossmann.|Very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.
WERKNR:347.1
caliber:65mm
dimension:77 mm
circa:1956
weight:408
country:Switzerland
originalbox:
originalcertificate:
guaranteecard:
servicecard:
extract:
accessories:
clasp:
This chronometer received a certificate from the Neuchâtel Observatory in 1956 and participated in the Observatory’s chronometer competitions in 1958, 1959, and 1960 in the category “Chronomètre de Bord”. In 1958 it was awarded a First Prize (1er Prix) with an average daily rate deviation of 0.16 seconds, achieving 20th place out of 31 chronometers. In 1960 it again received a First Prize, this time with an average daily rate deviation of 0.13 seconds, and reached 20th place out of 43 chronometers. The adjuster (régleur) was Pierre Girardet in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Included are three extracts from Andreas Hidding’s chronometer databaseWith a training period of five years, the Technicien-Horloger program at the watchmaking school in La Chaux-de-Fonds is the most demanding horological training in Switzerland. The 65-mm calibre was produced exclusively by qualified graduates of this five-year course. No ébauches existed for these pieces; every component had to be manufactured entirely from scratch.The 65-mm calibre of the Technicum refers to a historical movement calibre (movement diameter of 65 mm or 29 lignes) that was specifically designed for educational and competition purposes at the Technicum Neuchâtelois (and at watchmaking schools such as La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle) for deck and pocket chronometers. It served as a large-format base and competition movement in watchmaking training for precision measurement. Toward the end of this era, the large 65-mm calibre was replaced by the more compact 49.9-mm calibre, whose construction plans were created by Fridolin Wiget.The Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds was a renowned Swiss watchmaking and technical school in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Established in 1865, the institution trained elite watchmakers, engineers, and craftsmen. As their final examination, graduates produced highly complex pocket or wristwatches known as montres-écoles (school watches). These watches are distinguished by exquisite craftsmanship, special complications (such as chronographs or perpetual calendars), and finely finished movements. At auctions today, signed watches from the Technicum often achieve high prices, as they are regarded as milestones of Swiss fine mechanics.
Gehäuse
Silver, screw back, glazed movement.|Very good.
Zifferblatt
Enamel.|Very good.
Werk
Bridge movement, lever escapement, Guillaume gold screw compensation balance, blued Breguet balance spring with terminal curve by Grossmann.|Very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended.
WERKNR:347.1
caliber:65mm
dimension:77 mm
circa:1956
weight:408
country:Switzerland
originalbox:
originalcertificate:
guaranteecard:
servicecard:
extract:
accessories:
clasp:
This chronometer received a certificate from the Neuchâtel Observatory in 1956 and participated in the Observatory’s chronometer competitions in 1958, 1959, and 1960 in the category “Chronomètre de Bord”. In 1958 it was awarded a First Prize (1er Prix) with an average daily rate deviation of 0.16 seconds, achieving 20th place out of 31 chronometers. In 1960 it again received a First Prize, this time with an average daily rate deviation of 0.13 seconds, and reached 20th place out of 43 chronometers. The adjuster (régleur) was Pierre Girardet in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Included are three extracts from Andreas Hidding’s chronometer databaseWith a training period of five years, the Technicien-Horloger program at the watchmaking school in La Chaux-de-Fonds is the most demanding horological training in Switzerland. The 65-mm calibre was produced exclusively by qualified graduates of this five-year course. No ébauches existed for these pieces; every component had to be manufactured entirely from scratch.The 65-mm calibre of the Technicum refers to a historical movement calibre (movement diameter of 65 mm or 29 lignes) that was specifically designed for educational and competition purposes at the Technicum Neuchâtelois (and at watchmaking schools such as La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle) for deck and pocket chronometers. It served as a large-format base and competition movement in watchmaking training for precision measurement. Toward the end of this era, the large 65-mm calibre was replaced by the more compact 49.9-mm calibre, whose construction plans were created by Fridolin Wiget.The Technicum La Chaux-de-Fonds was a renowned Swiss watchmaking and technical school in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Established in 1865, the institution trained elite watchmakers, engineers, and craftsmen. As their final examination, graduates produced highly complex pocket or wristwatches known as montres-écoles (school watches). These watches are distinguished by exquisite craftsmanship, special complications (such as chronographs or perpetual calendars), and finely finished movements. At auctions today, signed watches from the Technicum often achieve high prices, as they are regarded as milestones of Swiss fine mechanics.
