French 18K gold open faced watch with chronograph Circa 1905

Gold pendant winding chronograph watch
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A French 18 carat gold open faced pocket watch with chronograph and counter, made by F. Rötig Hâvre, early 20th century. The watch features a mechanical movement with pendant winding, lever escapement, Breguet balance spring, and compensated bimetallic balance. It has a signed enamel dial with Roman numerals for the hours, an outer track for minutes and seconds marked by Arabic numerals for every five minutes and seconds. There is a subsidiary seconds dial at 3 o’clock, a 32 minute counter at 9 o’clock, gold spade shaped hands, and a central chronograph hand. The case is 18 carat gold with a smooth finish.
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Diameter: 53.5 mm.
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Gross weight: 123 g
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Signed: F. Rötig, Hâvre Galibert, Successeur
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Frédéric Rötig (1829-1905) was a watch and chronometer maker based in Le Havre. In 1869, he patented an improvement in pocket watch construction. He promoted his products under the titles Constructeur de Chronomètres and Inventeur. Rötig also served as Horloger de la Marine (Clock Watchmaker) in Le Havre. His shop was initially located on the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville and later at 51 Rue de Paris. Rötig supplied watches internationally, including to the United States. For example, pocket watch No. 4214, case No. 9832, was made for B.F. Rodgers & Co. in Louisville, Kentucky. This watch, featuring a 5-minute repeater and calendar movement, was presented as a gift to Captain W.M. Lewis by the Railway Employees LNA&C on October 24, 1885 (Jones & Horan Auctions). Another pocket watch, No. [number missing in original text], was listed at Antiquorum. Auctioned in 1635, it features an exceptional chronograph mechanism. Rötig was also the teacher of Emile Guillaume Joseph Brasseur, also known as Emile Antoine William Brasseur, likely shortly before his death.
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The surname Rötig is uncommon in French-speaking regions. Frédéric Rötig was born Johann Friedrich Wilhelm Roetig on January 22, 1829, in Hachenburg, Westerwald. His father, Friedrich Wilhelm Roetig (1782–1861), was also a watchmaker in Hachenburg. Frédéric Rötig’s son, Georges-Frédéric Rötig (1873–1961), became a noted animal painter in Le Havre.