Small French deck chronometer with 49h power reserve Circa 1860

Deck chronometer in mahogany box by Onesime Dumas
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A fine and small French deck chronometer in a mahogany box with 49 hour power reserve, circa 1860. Sold by A.H. Rodanet, Paris. Brass movement, chain and fusee, a spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw, and a bimetallic chronometer balance with two weights and four screws. Silvered dial with Roman hours, an outer minute track, 49 hour power reserve indication at 12 o’clock, subsidiary seconds at 6 and moon hands. Dial numbered and signed A.H. Rodanet à Paris, case numbered, movement numbered and signed Dumas.
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Dimensions: 165 x 165 x 170 mm
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Signed: Dumas
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Onesime Dumas (1824-1889) was Henri Motel’s nephew and apprenticed to him. He was also a student of Perrelet and C.A. Berthoud. In 1851, he took over Victor Gannery’s business.
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Auguste Hilaire Rodanet (1837-1907) was the son of Julien Hilaire Rodanet and uncle of Henri Rodanet. Auguste was born on June 5th, 1837 at Rochefort (Sur Mer). He was a watchmaker, dealer and representative of Patek Philippe in France. In 1858, at 21, he won a silver medal for a chronometer. From 1886 to 1887 he wrote a book  “L’Horlogerie astronomique et civile, ses usages – ses progrès – son enseignement à Paris”, which was published in 1903. In 1890, he founded the brand ‘Horlogerie Rodanet de Paris’. Auguste Hilaire was also mayor of the 2nd Arrondissement of Paris between 1904 and 1907, President of the Ecole d’Horlogerie and Knight of the Legion of Honour. He died aged 70 in 1907.