Rare Swiss gold quarter repeating precision watch Circa 1865

Gold open faced duplex 
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A rare Swiss 18 carat gold open faced quarter repeating precision pocket watch attributed to Eugène LeCoultre, circa 1865. Bridge movement with a duplex escapement, two hammers, two gongs, a rose gold train and screw compensation balance. White enamel dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock and fine hands. The plain case is monogrammed on the back. Case numbered, cuvette numbered and inscribed Demi Chronomètre Duplex.
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Diameter: 46 mm
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Weight: 74 g
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Signed: No name
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The name demi chronomètre was used to indicate that the movement was sent to the Observatory for chronometric control, but was, for commercial reasons, withdrawn before one could finish all the required tests. It is assumed that only three Genevan firms employed the denomination ‘demi chronomètre’: Henry Capt, Vacheron & Constantin and Fritz Piguet.
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Eugène LeCoultre was active in the second half of the 19th century. He produced very fine and extremely complicated watches, some with perpetual calendars. In 1880, the company was awarded first prize in the chronometer test at the Geneva Observatory.