French heavy plain silver cased pocket chronometer Circa 1879

Silver chronometer by Bernard Poitevin
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A French heavy pocket chronometer with spring detent escapement, circa 1879.
The case is silver. The dial is white enamel with radial Roman hours and a subsidiary dial for the seconds. It has a full plate movement, a chain/fusee, a spring detent escapement according to Thomas Earnshaw and a gold screw compensation balance.
This pocket chronometer is quite peculiar because it was definitely inspired by English watchmaking. The sturdy full plate movement is typically English and was decorated with Geneva striping design. The cylinder balance is non magnetic.
Dial and movement are signed.
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Diameter: 62 mm
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Weight: 226 g
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Signed: Poitevin, Paris
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Bernard Poitevin was a watch and chronometer maker in Paris from 1850 to 1890. He founded the company B. Poitevin & V. Lejeune, with premises for example in the Rue Richelieu (1850) and at Rue Vivienne 22 (1860-1900). Poitevin produced quality timepieces, watches with complications such as striking mechanisms, chronographs and chronometers with Geneva Observatory 1st class Bulletin. He had premises in Bordeaux at Quai des Chartons 4 for a few years, but more important was his shop in the Rue du Mont-Blanc in Geneva. Rizzoli Dechamps took over Bernard Poitevin’s business in 1880.