Subject of the offer:
This is an early observation watch with the extremely rare complication "Seconde Morte" - jumping seconds with 2 separate mainspring barrels - thus the first mechanical chronograph function ever.
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: a military observation watch with two separate mainspring barrels and a separately startable and stopable central seconds hand.
Savonette, 800/000 silver, white, unrestored, screwed enamel dial with Roman numerals, central seconds hand with seconde morte stop function
Jumping central seconds hand, pauseable/stopable with the recognizable slider.
Silver case, diameter approx. 50 mm, case no. 6661, signature "PD 64960", both lids and rim guilloché, solid silver, acid-tested, weight: 113 g, side slider for stop function, key-wound
Bridge escapement, piston-tooth escapement with the two mainspring barrels typical for a seconde morte function
The almost unique artifact runs on and on – just like the Second Morte function (accuracy not tested)
EZ: 2 - good collector's condition with normal signs of age and use, unrestored dial in good condition, lid closes flush
