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Jules Jurgensen Locle Observation Watch Deck Observation Watch Seconde Morte
Jules Jurgensen Locle Observation Watch Deck Observation Watch Seconde Morte
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The subject of this offer is an absolutely sensational, museum-quality artifact from one of the greatest watchmaking geniuses of his time: Jules Jürgensen Copenhagen / Le Locle
This is an early observation watch with two time zones and the extremely rare complication "Seconde Morte" - jumping seconds with two separate mainspring barrels - thus the first mechanical chronograph function ever.
In fact, this rare and possibly unique piece was also made for the Royal Danish Captain at Sea, Friedrich Ludwig Graf von Platen-Halbermund.
Definition of the "Seconde Morte" complication:
The classic "seconde morte" construction was invented by Jean-Moise Pouzait at the age of 23: a second drive with the seconds wheel in the center of the movement engages with the pinion of the escape wheel via a thin lever arm at the end of the drive.
This "whip" is only released for a revolution after a full second has elapsed, causing the large seconds hand to also jump by one second. The considerable effort required for a second drive mechanism led to the construction of auxiliary drives, which are constantly retensioned by the main clockwork.
Lange & Söhne (Glashütte) mounted two thin spring arms on a wheel that rotated freely on the axle of the small bottom wheel. This wheel, with a small ratchet wheel, tensioned the two springs, and a small drive mechanism was released every second at the last pinion by a "whip" driven by a star on the escape wheel shaft.
Since the central seconds spring can be deactivated by a lever and the spring arms then slide under the constantly retensioning small ratchet wheel, the spring arms have stone pallets at their ends.
Description:
A virtually unique technical rarity: Jules Jürgensen Copenhagen Seconde Morte with 2 separate mainspring barrels and a separately startable and stopable central seconds hand.
Video of the leaping second:
www.youtube.com/shorts/rggevxtdMDI
Men's pocket watch with chronograph as a "Seconde Morte" with 2 separate mainspring barrels and 2 separate time displays, important for a captain at sea when he wants to keep track of the time from the point of origin/departure.
Savonette, 800/000 silver, white, unrestored enamel dial (fine hairline crack - see photos), signed Jules Jürgensen, Locle 1808-1888
Dial with central seconds hand, small seconds at "6", 1st subdial: true/original time at "9"
2. Subdials: Observation time at the "3", central division 60 sec., 1 and 2 subdials with pear-shaped pointers
Jumping central seconds hand, stopable with the recognizable slider next to the "1", silver case diameter 53.8 mm, case no. 24999, both covers and rim guilloché, stamped: Fine Silver, weight: 113g
Side slider for stop time, key winding, inner cover, outer cover, INPENDENT SECOND, 23j, Holes Jewelled, Compensated Balance
Bridge escapement, piston-tooth escapement, probably made for Friedrich Ludwig Graf von Platen-Halbermund (November 14, 1785 – September 7, 1862, Copenhagen), Royal Danish Captain, married to Magdalena Thilstadt according to Gotha, watch is uncleaned, manufactured probably around 1820, an absolute collector's item
The almost unique artifact runs – as does the Second Morte function – and continues to run (accuracy not tested).
EZ: 2 - good collector's condition with normal signs of age and use, dial with noticeable hairline cracks, lid closes flush
History of the watchmaking legend Jules Jürgensen (Source: Watchwiki:
Jürgensen, Jules-Frédéric
Danish watch and chronometer maker
Jules Frédéric Jürgensen (known as "Jules") was born on July 27, 1808 , in Le Locle , Switzerland, the son of Urban Jürgensen and Sophie Henriette Houriet. His mother, Sophie Henriette, was a daughter of Jacques-Frédéric Houriet .
After Urban Jürgensen 's death, he and Louis Urban took over the manufactory. Jules Jürgensen embarked on a study trip in 1834 to London, Paris, Geneva , and Le Locle. In Geneva , in 1835, he married the young widow Anastasie Lavalette, daughter of Georges-Antoine Lavalette , a clockmaker from Geneva.
In 1836, he decided to establish a branch of his father's Copenhagen business in Le Locle . In Le Locle, he initially worked with his maternal uncle , Jules Houriet , and developed a distinctive type of pocket watch, the "Jürgensen caliber".
The clocks were designed in such a way that mass production was possible. He amassed a considerable fortune and bought the Le Châtelard estate in Les Brenets. Jules was friends with the French physicist François Arago and the storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Around 1850 , he moved to Paris, to the Rue de l'Escale.
In 1860, he was located at 24 Rue Croix-des-Petits-Champs. In 1865, he patented a clock winding and time-setting system. From 1870 to 1880 , Gustave Sandoz was his representative in Paris at the Galerie de Valois. Jürgensen was made a Knight of the Legion of Honor in 1874 .
In 1872, Jules Jürgensen retired from the business and handed it over to his son , Jules (Frédéric) Urban . Jules Jürgensen produced 13,000 watches in Switzerland, signed Jules Jürgensen Copenhagen. He worked very closely with Urban Jürgensen & Sønner Copenhagen. His main export market became the USA. In 1858, he entered into a partnership with the movement supplier Emile Perret . Jules Jürgensen not only inherited his father's talent but was also an excellent businessman, benefiting greatly from his family, the Houriets, and the established relationships. His work as a watchmaker earned him the honorary title of Knight of the Legion of Honor and, in his native Denmark, a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog.
The Jürgensen Tower is a building in the Neo-Gothic Romantic style, a popular architectural style at the end of the 19th century. The tower was likely built by Jules Frederik Jürgensen between 1872 and 1874 in Les Brenets near Le Locle, on the border with France. It stands on a wooded hill, a location that remains an exception in the entire canton of Neuchâtel. Situated in the heart of an area rich in flora and fauna, the Jürgensen Tower provides an ideal observation point for nature lovers, teachers, and ornithologists.
Jules Frédéric Jürgensen married Anastasia Lavalette in 1823. Their children were Jules Urban Jürgensen , Jacques Alfred Jürgensen , and Anastasie Sophie Rosalie Jürgensen.
Daughter Anastasie Sophie Rosalie married watchmaker Paul-François L'Hardy . Their daughter Anna Sophie L'Hardy was born on July 31, 1859 , in Le Locle. The couple divorced on October 15 , and Paul-François L'Hardy later moved to Guatemala.
Jules Jürgensen died on December 17, 1877, in Geneva as a Swiss/Danish citizen. His sons , Jules Urban Jürgensen and Jacques Alfred Jürgensen, continued to run the business.
