German lever with 30 hour power reserve indication 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, thermometer and calendar, made in the 1980’s. Chronomètre Type Concours Observatoire. 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 an outer terminal curve, balance and escape wheel pivots with shock absorbers, micrometre regulator. Gold glazed cuvette. Silver dial with Roman numerals on brushed chapter ring, outer minute dot divisions, engine turned and whitened centre, subsidiary seconds, thermometer sector at 9 o’clock, days of the week between 2 and 3 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, certificate and spare mainspring.
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Diameter: 56 mm
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Signed: Thomas 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.
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In 1972, professor Thomas Engel was awarded the ‘Diesel Prize’, along with Dr. Wernher von Braun, the rocket and space technologist. In addition to his professional interests, Dr. Engel is an expert on horological technique and history, particularly that of Abraham-Louis Breguet. He is the author of the book A.L. Breguet: Watchmaker to Kings. He is, in addition, a famous watch collector and a passionate ‘self made’ maker of technically outstanding timepieces, which often incorporate stylistic and technical elements reminiscent of Breguet. These watches are known as the ‘Engel Breguets’ and are highly sought after by collectors.