Important Swiss gold tourbillon chronometer pocket watch Circa 1867

Gold watch with pivoted detent escapement
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An extremely fine and important Swiss 18 carat gold hunting cased keyless pocket chronometer with a one minute tourbillon, circa 1867. Controlled at the Neuchâtel Observatory in 1867. A massive, plain case. White enamel dial with black Roman hour numerals, outer minute track, sunk subsidiary seconds and blued steel moon hands. Glazed rhodium plated movement with Geneva striping decoration, 15 jewels, pivoted detent escapement, two armed cuts bimetallic balance with gold poising screws, blued steel balance spring with terminal curve and arc limiting pin. Ernest Guinand’s first type of polished steel tourbillon carriage driven by the minute wheel.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Thickness: 20 mm
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Signed: Ernest Guinand Le Locle
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The movement glass is missing
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Ernest Guinand (circa 1810-1879). Guinand was an important Master Horologist from Le Locle, who, along with Auguste Grether from Ponts-de-Martel (1817-1879), specialized in the production of tourbillon carriages. According to the 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 of Guinand’s carriages 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. In 1864, Patek Philippe chose him to build their first tourbillon regulator.