Swiss 18 carat gold watch with precision lever escapement Circa 1900

Gold watch with beautiful gold hands
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A fine lady’s watch with precision lever escapement, made by Zenith in le Locle, Switzerland, circa 1900. The open faced numbered engine turned case is crafted from 18 carat gold and the white enamel dial has black Arabic hour numerals, a subsidiary seconds dial with black Arabic numerals and decorative gold hands. The numbered movement has a very fine lever escapement, fine adjusting device and gold chatons.
Case and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 34 mm
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Weight: 32 g
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Signed: Zenith                
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Zenith
Georges Favre-Jacot was born in 1843. In 1865, at only 22, he founded the “Fabrique des Billodes” in Le Locle, which later became the well known watch brand Zenith. First, he made precision pocket watches that were signed with his name. Around 1900, the product range was expanded. Deck chronometers, table clocks, precision pendulum clocks and later also, marine chronometers were manufactured. Georges Favre-Jacot died on May 19, 1917.
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Georges Emile Favre-Bulle-Jacot was born on December 12, 1843 in Le Locle and baptized on January 27, 1844 . He was the son of Jules Louis Favre-Bulle and Albertine Matthey de l’Endroit. He was a grandchild of David Louis Favre-Bulle, the brother of Frédéric Louis Favre-Bulle and Ami Louis Favre-Bulle . He was the brother of Louis Arthur Favre-Bulle , sister Laure Emma Favre-Bulle also became a watchmaker.
Georges Emile Favre-Bulle-Jacot founded the ” Fabrique des Billodes ” in Le Locle in 1865 on a property called Billodes. He first made precision pocket watches that were signed with his name. The product range was expanded around 1900. There were board chronometers, table clocks, precision pendulum clocks and later marine chronometers made. From 1903, the Favre-Jacots company took part in the competitions of the Neuchâtel observatory regularly and very successfully with pocket watches and onboard chronometers part. When the company was converted into a stock corporation in 1911, the Zenith brand was created. In the same year, Favre-Jacot resigned and handed over management of the company to his nephew James Favre. The premises of the old factory have been replaced by a more modern building, but at the entrance to the building, a plaque commemorates Georges Favre-Jacot, who is buried there at his own request.
Georges Emile married the watchmaker Louise Philippine Jacot-Descombes on January 2, 1863, in Le Locle. From this marriage, five girls and one boy were born. Records in Le Pont-de-Martel mention only three children from the marriage, Berthe-Alice, Rose-Julia and Fernande-Amélie, perhaps two births are recorded in another place.
Georges Emile Favre- (Bulle) Jacot died on May 19, 1917 in Le Locle at the age of 73.
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Zenith SA is a Swiss luxury watchmaker. The company was founded in 1865 by Georges Favre-Jacot in Le Locle in the canton of Neuchâtel and is one of the oldest continuously operating watchmakers. Favre-Jacot invented the concept of ‘in-house’ movements, believing that only through control of the entire watchmaking process, perfection could be achieved. Zenith was purchased by LVMH (Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton) in November 1999, becoming one of several brands in its watch and jewellery division which includes TAG Heuer and Hublot.