Austrian silver watch with chronometer escapement Circa 1864

A rare Viennese chronometer
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A very rare watch with spring detent chronometer escapement, made by Franz Joseph Vorauer in Wien, Austria,  circa 1864. The open faced plain case of this watch which was crafted from silver has the master mark Wagner. The white enamel dial has Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial at 6 o’clock and blued steel hands. The movement has a fine chronometer escapement with helical hairspring and a diamond end stone.
The cuvette is numbered and the dial, cuvette and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Weight: 183 g
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Signed: J. Vorauer, Wien
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Vorauer
Franz Josef (Joseph )Vorauer was an important watchmaker and was born around 1813 in Lambach. He lived in Vienna around 1840 and was the first of the Viennese watchmakers to make genuine chronometers. As early as 1843 he submitted a chronometer he had made for testing. He exhibited three of his chronometers at the Vienna Trade Exhibition in 1845. His outstanding achievements in this field were honoured with the gold medal. He was awarded the title of master in 1845.