Gold English independent centre seconds lever Circa 1875

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An English independent center seconds lever made by Nicole Nielsen in a gold open face case, hallmarked London circa 1875. Gilt three quarter plate keyless movement with going barrel. Nicole’s patent winding work with extra wheel to wind the independent seconds train. Engraved cock with polished steel regulator, compensation balance with blue steel overcoil hairspring. English table roller lever escapement, escape and lever pivots with endstones. Signed and numbered white enamel dial with seconds beating independent center seconds, and continuous subsidiary seconds. Roman numerals and blue steel hands. Substantial plain 18 Carat open face case, clip on back with engraved monogram. Maker’s mark ‘AN’ in an oval and number corresponding to that on the movement. Small slide in the band to operate the independent seconds, the hand beating seconds. Turning the crown in one direction winds the going train and the other winds the seconds train. Velvet lined Morocco presentation case.
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Diameter: 48 mm
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Signed: John Walker 68 Cornhill 230 Regent Street and 76 Strand London

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Independent seconds has the advantage of allowing the seconds hand to be stopped and started without affecting the going train, unlike some simple chronographs of the period. Another benefit was the seconds hand jumping ahead one second at a time. It was however little used as an extra barrel and train were required. A complication very rarely found on Nicole Nielsen’s work. Adolphe Nicole took out the patent for keyless winding number 10,348 in 1844. In excellent condition.