German 18 Carat gold lever with 30 hour power reserve Circa 1985

Gold lever with power reserve, calendar and thermometer by Thomas Engel
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A very fine and rare German 18 carat gold keyless lever pocket watch with 30 hour power reserve indication, thermometer, calendar and regulator dial, made in the 1980’s. Chronomètre Type Concours Observatoire. Accompanied by a fitted box and spare mainspring. Rhodium plated movement, Geneva Striping decoration, stamped with Thomas Engel punch mark, 19 jewels, straight line lever escapement, mono metallic balance, self compensating balance spring with outer terminal curve, balance and escape wheel pivots with shock absorbers, micrometre regulator. Gold glazed cuvette. Silver dial with Roman hour numerals on brushed eccentric chapter ring, outer minute dot divisions and Arabic five minute numerals, engine turned and whitened centre, subsidiary day of the week dial, thermometer sector at 6 o’clock, aperture for power reserve indication and original gold Breguet hands. Screwed down case back decorated with engine turning à grains d’orge, polished band and bezel, ball type swivelling pendant acting as the winding crown. Dial, case and movement signed. Accompanied by a fitted box and spare mainspring.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: Engel
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Professor Thomas Engel is known worldwide for his research in the production of polymers. In 1966, he developed a process for cross linking plastic extrusions, particularly those of cross linked polyethylene. Based on the reaction of plastics at pressures of 15,000 to 150,000 psi and temperatures of approximately 300° C and the presence of a peroxide catalyst, a cross linking agent, this process was a significant step forward in plastics technology. It resulted in the production of a high molecular weight product with improved heat and chemical resistance, which is still in use nearly thirty years later. Engel has received numerous prizes and honours.