French chronometer with pivoted detent escapement Circa 1835

Important very fine Louis Berthoud marine deck chronometer
–
An important, very fine numbered marine deck chronometer with pivoted detent escapement in the manner of Louis Berthoud, made by Henri Motel, Horloger de la Marine Royale, in Paris, France, circa 1835. The original brass open faced plain case is screwed and has a start stop mechanism under the rim. The case, movement mounting and movement have matching numbers. The silvered dial has black Roman hour numerals, a subsidiary stoppable seconds dial at six o’clock and blued steel hands. The very fine chronometer movement has a decorative finish, conical steel movement pillars, a chain fusee, a pivoted detent chronometer escapement in the manner of Berthoud, front winding, a stoppable seconds device, a bi metallic four arm chronometer balance with four movable weights, a finely adjustable hairspring mounting with four adjusting screws, a blued conical hairspring and a balance with an end stone. Dial and movement are signed.
–
Diameter:  108 mm
–
Signed: H^ri Motel H^ger de la Marine R^le
–
This rarity is in original condition, but the dial is unfortunately very aged. However, with a magnifying glass the original signature ‘Henri Motel, Horloger de la Marine Royale’ can be seen, above it in an arc ‘Dépôt de la Marine’. Jean-Francois Henri Motel was Louis Berthoud’s best student and inherited his company as chronometer supplier to the French Navy. Many of his ship chronometers were later converted into deck watches for the navy. This chronometer No.188 still has the original start stop mechanism, which is no longer present in most known Motel chronometers.