Exceptional Swiss gold tourbillon repeating chronometer Circa 1870

Gold center seconds watch with pivoted detent escapement
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An exceptional and unique Swiss 18 carat gold hunting cased tourbillon repeating pocket watch, circa 1870. A two train minute repeating, Guinand type 1, tourbillon chronometer with independent dead center seconds, the type 1 carriage by Ernest Guinand, a regulator with pivoted detent escapement and an amplitude controlling device. The case with makers mark PM, engine turned with polished borders, reeded band and a button in the band at 6 o’clock for the independent seconds. The hinged gold cuvette engraved with prize medals for the Expositions Universelles of 1862 and 1867, a further glazed gold rimmed cover over the movement.
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White enamel dial, bold radial Roman hour numerals, an outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds and blued steel hands. Nickel movement, Geneva striping decoration, twin barrels with differential winding, a gold train, Guinand type 1 carriage (Meis classification) with pivoted detent chronometer escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance with gold screws, Breguet blued steel balance spring with a perpendicular stud for preventing excessive amplitudes, an index regulator with scale plate, the entire train jewelled and repeating on gongs activated by a slide on the band. Dial, cuvette and movement signed and numbered, case numbered, the bottom of one hammer punched Louis Goy.
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Diameter: 61 mm
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Signed: Courvoisier Frères  Chaux de Fonds
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This exceptional watch is only the second example known with independent seconds and tourbillon, it is the only publicly known example with the addition of minute repeating and is probably unique. The other, without minute repeating, is signed Girard Perregaux and was made for the Exposition Universelle in 1867, it is also fitted with a Guinand’s type 1 tourbillon carriage.

Ernest Guinand (circa 1810-1879) was an important master horologist from Le Locle, Switzerland, who, along with Auguste Grether from Ponts de Martel (1817-1879), specialized in producing tourbillon carriages. According to records of the Neuchâtel Observatory, Guinand’s production of tourbillons began between 1865 and 1867. He designed three models of tourbillon carriages, always based on an A-shaped frame. He worked for several important makers, including Girard Perregaux and Montandon. Most were equipped with a pivoted detent escapement, one with a spring detent and some with a lever escapement. Most of his carriages were not signed and can only be identified by their characteristic A-shape.