French 18K gold minute repeating lever chronograph Circa 1880

Gold open faced keyless pocket watch
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A very fine and historically important French, 18K gold, minute repeating, a keyless pocket watch with chronograph and short gold mesh fob, circa 1880. Formerly the property of Alfred Nobel (1833-1896), the founder of the Nobel Prizes. An engine turned back cover with monogram AN. Hinged gold cuvette. White enamel dial with radial Roman numerals, outer minute track and concentric fifths of a second track with Arabic five minute/second numerals, subsidiary seconds. Yellow gold spade hands.
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A frosted gilt movement, 29 jewels, counterpoised straight-line lever escapement, cut bimetallic compensation balance, blued steel Breguet balance spring, index regulator, repeating on gongs activated by a slide in the band, chronograph button in the crown. Cuvette signed. Property of a Scandinavian Collector.
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Diameter: 51 mm
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Signed: Le Roy & Fils, La Marine, Palais Royal  Paris